Guest Speaker: Mike Rustay
The Thomas’ Eddy reach of the Snohomish River is located approximately two miles downstream of the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Skykomish Rivers and at the uppermost extent of tidal influence from Puget Sound. In the 1930’s, 200 acres of floodplain was cut off from the river by the construction of an agricultural levee. When the site was threatened by development in the 1970’s, resident sportsman Bob Heirman and members of the Tulalip Tribes teamed up to protect the property which was ultimately purchased by Snohomish County. The County’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has been working with Park stakeholders to design a project that will restore floodplain connection to create habitat for Endangered Species Act listed salmon while maintaining public access and improving conditions for birds and wildlife. Bob Heirman Park is a favorite of anglers, birders and outdoor enthusiasts and restoration planning at this site presents an opportunity to engage multiple interest groups and foster relationships between conservation-minded organizations. Mike Rustay will present details of the project plan and timeline and describe steps taken by the planning team to incorporate stakeholder ideas and concerns into the project design. Tune in to find out how you can stay informed and get involved!
Mike Rustay is a Senior Habitat Specialist with Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Surface Water Management Division. He is a stream and river ecologist who has worked toward monitoring, protecting, and restoring aquatic habitats in the Puget Sound region since 2000. In addition to his work with Snohomish County, Mike co-founded Beavers Northwest, a non-profit organization that works with landowners to keep beavers on the landscape and promotes the ecological benefits beavers provide.