Salmon Refugia Analysis

Jefferson County and Kitsap County, 2001–2002

Objective:

Identify and characterize potential salmon conservation and restoration areas located within Jefferson and Kitsap counties. Analyze and prioritize these salmonid refugia (stream corridors, watersheds, and shoreline areas) to determine most cost-effective areas for conservation and restoration efforts, especially in regards to early salmon recovery actions.

Result:

Using multiple data assessments (such as species diversity, productivity, habitat, watershed, riparian, shoreline conditions, aquatic vegetation, etc.), created in-depth GIS analysis of environment and infrastructure data to rank salmon habitat quality throughout the study areas. Defined habitats by freshwater and marine refugia type, then ranked 160 sub-watersheds, streams, and nearshore areas into four categories of habitat conservation priority, based on their calculated refugia score.

View the Kitsap County salmonid refugia executive summary; the full Jefferson County salmonid refugia report is available from Jefferson County Natural Resources Department.