KINGSTON — Within the next two months wildlife in the Carpenter Estuary will be able to enjoy a more natural flow of things.
Barring any terrible weather, the Stillwaters Fish Passage on South Kingston Road will be finished in February. The project is scheduled to be completed the week of Feb. 5-11 according to Kitsap County Engineer Jon Brand. However, because much of the work left to be done depends on the weather, including paving, it’s possible there will be slight delays.
While the entire project is expected to be finished in February, the bridge itself is expected to be completed in January. Naomi Maasberg, Stillwaters Environmental Education Center Administrative Director, took a walk down to the bridge a few days ago. Though one side is still under heavy construction, she said when looking at the project from the Appletree Cove side, it’s easy to see what the finalized work will look like.
“I’m thrilled with the way the bridge looks,” she said. “It’s striking to see how narrow the culvert was.”
The project is intended to restore a more natural exchange of water between Appletree Cove and the Carpenter estuary on the other side of South Kingston Road. The estuary is one end of Carpenter Creek. With a more natural exchange of water, wildlife habitats are expected to see a change for the better.
What was once a 10-foot long culvert will become a 70-foot long bridge when crews are finished working. And although the project is meant to help the environment, there are already concerns over motorized watercraft entering the estuary.
Maasberg said a proposal to the County Commission would build signs to warn any motorized watercraft not to enter the estuary. Signs are the most basic thing, she said. Without them, there is little that could be done to deter anyone from entering.
“Our concern is that we’re restoring the estuary for getting a better habitat for fish and wildlife,” she said. “To add motorized vehicles in a very shallow waterway [would be] upsetting to the very creatures we’re looking to protect.”
However, watercraft such as canoes will be allowed to enter the estuary. With a more natural flow of water, there should be no concerns about getting in and out.
“It will be a much nicer place if a Sea-Doo can’t go running by,” Maasberg said, laughing.
Maasberg said Stillwaters will monitor the wildlife habitats and water flow once it is finished. She said to expect an increased amount of fish, but, more importantly, a healthier habitat and more food sources for wildlife. Stillwaters will monitor the area for a minimum of 10 years, but some changes in the habitat may not be noticeable for 30 or 40 years, she said. Studies will be done once per year.
Environmental groups were studying the Carpenter Estuary and watershed before construction began. Stillwaters and crews from the Suquamish Tribe took beach seining samples on both sides of the Carpenter Creek culvert. Maasberg said the data collected before the project will be compared with data after the project is finished.
For now, contractor SB Structures of Seattle still has plenty of time to complete the project, Brand said. Aside from a few delays, such as late materials, construction has gone smoothly, he said.
“Workmanship is paramount to us,” he said. “And they have done it.”
The contract for the project was about $2.1 million. Brand said there may be minor cost fluctuations, but little has changed since it was originally awarded to SB Structures in 2011.
The county and proponents planned the bridge project since 2001. A design was drafted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Legislature OK’d the project in the 2010 state budget as part of a Puget Sound Partnership package.
Whether the project is finished or not, an auction and celebration will be held Feb. 25 4-7 p.m. at the Suquamish Education Center. The event will be open to the public. More information will be available as the date nears.
