Project Summary

1. Project Identification

Name	Duck Creek, Alaska, Restoration
Region	Alaska
State	Alaska
Location	Juneau
Date of this update	17 March 1999

2. Problem(s) addressed (check one or more)

Habitat Restoration/Protection
Wetlands
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)

3. Project Description (100 words or less. Please include qualitative information, e.g. acres of habitat restored, miles of steam reopened to migration, and legislative authorization, e.g. WRDA, ISTEA, CWA/NEP, CZMA, etc.)

Duck Creek and its stream corridor has endured extensive impairment of all of its key physical, biological, and chemical functions over the past century. The stream is virtually sterile because of low oxygen concentrations, high dissolved iron levels, and pollutants. Sedimentation, channelization, and riparian habitat alteration have degraded anadromous salmonid habitat. Projects directed at removing fine sediments, reconfiguring the stream channel, revegetating the riparian zone, and improving stream crossings will restore functionality of the physical habitat for anadromous salmonids. Augmenting streamflow, installing stormwater treatment technology throughout the watershed, creating wetlands within the stream corridor, and curtailing runoff pollution will restore water quality and stream biota. Duck Creek is perhaps the most impaired stream in Alaska from urban development.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list)

In addition to the physical, chemical, and biological functions that will be restored, the public's perception and awareness of the benefits of an anadromous stream in urban environment will be restored. Providing the public with a new perception of the importance of stream corridors may be useful in revitalizing a needed conservation ethic for streams and stream corridors.

Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

Once all management and restoration efforts are implemented, physical habitat characteristics and water quality in the stream should meet water quality standards and the stream will support a diverse invertebrate fauna and self-sustaining populations of anadromous salmonids. Downstream estuarine habitats and organisms will have reduced impacts. The stream will be safe from water-borne diseases, be more aesthetically pleasing, and have a much reduced risk from flooding. Functionality of the stream ecosystem will return, recreational opportunities and economic vitality of the area will be increased, and the overall quality of life in the Duck Creek stream corridor should be greatly enhanced.

5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

The Duck Creek Advisory Group (DCAG) was formed in 1992 to coordinate activities for planning, initiating, and carrying out a program of restoration of water quality and anadromous fish habitat on Duck Creek and its freshwater and estuarine wetlands. The Advisory Group provides education and facilitates work with the City and Borough of Juneau, State and Federal agencies, private businesses, conservation organizations, and homeowners in the design of restoration projects and pollution control activities throughout the watershed. Schools, youth groups, citizens and agency researchers have been involved in collecting baseline data on the watershed and stream in order to understand the problems and to make decisions on how to improve and best manage Duck Creek. Participants include:

• Federal

  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  Environmental Protection Agency
  U.S. Geological Survey
  Federal Highway Administration
  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  U.S. Forest Service
  Natural Resource Conservation Service
  National Marine Fisheries Service - Alaska Region and Auke Bay Laboratory.

• Non-Federal

  State government

  Department of Environmental Conservation
  Department of Fish and Game
  Department of Natural Resources - Division of Water
  Department of Transportation and Public FacilitiesLocal government

  
  Local government

  City and Borough of Juneau
  Southeast Conference

  Private industry

  Gastineau Guiding
  Goldbelt Inc.
  Huna Totem Corporation
  Superbear Grocery
  Yard Doctor Landscapes
  Arete Construction
  Dave Hanna Contractor
  Don Howell Contractor
  Channel Construction Corporation

  Public interest groups

  Juneau Trout Unlimited
  Southeast Alaska Guidance Association (Americorps)
  Juneau Youth Services (Miller House)
  Alaska Discovery Foundation
  Duck Creek Homeowners
  Mendenhall Watershed Partnership
  Mendenhall Rotary Club

  Educational Facility

  Juneau Public Schools

  Other partnerships

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

Funding expended: $600. 0 K
Future funding obligated: $ 150 K
Further funding needed to complete restoration: $ 3.7 M

This project was initially funded by Trout Unlimited's Embrace-A-Stream Program. EPA's CWA Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants provided operation, monitoring, and restoration funds for several years (1993-97). NMFS Auke Bay Laboratory has provided salary for two scientists since the inception of the project. NMFS Restoration Center provided two restoration grants for restoring spawning habitat and for assessing the capability of using riparian plant species for immobilizing dissolved iron. NFWF just recently provide funds for the creation of additional wetlands and to develop a pilot program to reduce dissolved iron floc using aeration. The Duck Creek Advisory Group formed in 1992 coordinates this restoration effort and is composed of over 25 groups as listed above. Partnerships have been developed with private contractors (e.g., Arete Construction, Channel Construction, Hanna Construction, Americorps (SAGA), Juneau Schools, City and Borough of Juneau, Juneau Airport, and other to create wetland habitats within the stream corridor for the purpose of improving water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, and for developing and outdoor classroom for a public school. Hundreds of hours have been provide the project through in-kind services. The Mendenhall Watershed Partnership, an evolution of DCAG, is a community-based group focused on the entire Mendenhall Watershed including Duck Creek. One of our partners, Toner and Nordling Engineering Services, recently won runner-up for Alaska's engineering project of the year featuring Duck Creek. The DCAG recently developed an agreement with the COE to restore Duck Creek. The Duck Creek project was nominated in 1998 for Coastal America recognition. Mendenhall Rotary Club is also helping to establish an-adopt-a-stream concept for certain reaches of the stream as well as lead in the stenciling of storm drains.Donated services and materials have saved the DCAG and community over $150,000 to date.

• Cash

  Federal
  Non Federal	State government
  	Local government
  	Private industry
  	Public interest groups
  Total

• In-Kind Services (hours, equipment, or other forms of assistance and estimated dollar value)

  ---

• Volunteers (number of people and hours, and estimated dollar value)

  ---

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

Duck Creek is listed in EPA's UWA under the state of Alaska's FFY 1999 Category I Watershed Areas or Waterbodies "Most in Need of Restoration". Duck Creek is listed as priority number 6 with two other streams in the Mendenhall Valley, Hydrologic Unit number 19010301. Duck Creek has been listed as an impaired waterbody under Section 303(d) since 1990. The designated water uses that are impaired include growth and propagation of aquatic life and wildlife, water supply, and contact and secondary recreation. The stream is water quality limited because of low dissolved oxygen, turbidity, fecal coliform, and metals (i.e., iron, copper, silver, and zinc). Both fish and wildlife habitat have undergone substantial modification; chum salmon are now extinct and coho have declined dramatically. The stream drains into the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge which supports large populations of eagles, waterfowl, and shorebirds as well as essential fish habitat for forage fish species. Section 206

8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

One of the original objectives of the Duck Creek project was to serve as a local, regional, and national demonstration site for management and restoration technology. The Duck Creek Advisory Group (DCGA), organized in 1992, and the Mendenhall Watershed Partnership, a community involvement group organized in 1998, have published newsletters and held public forums for disseminating information on technology. Because of the science approach, much of the technology is new and is presented at professional meetings for use by others and for critical peer review. The Duck Creek project has support of over 25 agencies and public organizations; as a result, landowners, developers, and conservationists have accepted the project with open arms and have formed partnerships to restore the stream with significant cost-savings to the public. Because the Duck Creek stream corridor is dominated by an urban matrix, much of the restoration has focused on (1) curtailling runoff pollution by implementing BMP's, (2) improving the stream channel morphology by changing inadequate stream crossings and reconfiguring the channel by removing fine sediment and adding structure, and (3) improving water quality for fish and wildlife by creating wetlands from dredge ponds on the stream. Alaska is just beginning to see the effects of urban development on aquatic habitats and this demonstration project will provide guidance on the establishment of a citizen's led advisory group, the development of a community-based program, the management and protection of stream resources, and the technology for restoring impaired habitat and water quality. Many of the problems on Duck Creek are the result of land use activities at the watershed and landscape level; as a consequence of development and inadequate planning, the watershed drainage area has been reduced by about 50% of what it was 30 years ago. Reduced streamflow has adversely affected water quality and fish habitat. Efforts are underway to stop diversions of water away from Duck Creek and to improve the inadequate stormwater drainage network in the watershed. Plans to augment streamflow from a nearby non-fish stream have been developed. Nearly all of the proposed management actions such as BMPs or restoration strategies require application at the watershed or landscape level.

9. Project Status

Initiation date	1993
Completion date
Current stage	Design: 75 % Problem identification: 90 % Planning, Alternatives: 90 % Design: 75 % Implementation: 20 % Monitoring: 75 %

The Duck Creek project has taken a watershed approach with a large investment in science. The project has four phases that are being followed in order to identify problems and implement restoration strategies. These phases are: (1) establish baselines of current conditions; (2) stop pollutants from urban runoff from entering stream; (3) implement watershed management and restoration through community-based partnerships; and (4) evaluate effectiveness of the watershed management program by reassessing/monitoring established baselines. The established baselines include streamflow, water quality, fish habitat, and salmon smolt yield; data collection for these baselines began in 1993. Probably the most important need for continuing and completing this project, is dedicated leadership from either citizen involvement or agency personnel. A salaried citizen coordinator may be more effective than a government coordinator because of less duties and responsibilities. Continued involvement from the community in the form of project support, volunteers, lobbying, and partnering will be essential.

10. Contacts

• Project Manager

  Dr. K V. Koski
  NMFS
  Auke Bay Laboratory
  11305 Glacier Highway
  Juneau, AK 99801
  Phone: 907-789-6024
  Fax: 907-789-6094
  Email: k.koski@NOAA.GOV

• Others

  SEE CHART BELOW

• Participating Agency/Organization Contacts: (e.g. volunteer groups, conservation groups, state agencies, and other federal agency contacts)

11. Any additional information/comments

The Duck Creek restoration technology is currently documented with newsletters, technical reports, field trips, news releases, public and professional meetings, radio and television time, and through the permit review process where applicants are either shown or told how stream protection or mitigation should be performed. Web sites are being developed by one of our community sponsors, Mendenhall Watershed Partnership, and by the Habitat Conservation Division of National Marine Fisheries Service. As a showcased project, these new web sites will be utilized as well as the other forms of communication that was used before. Because some elements of this project will likely become a Corps of Engineers 206 project, opportunity will exist for additional showcasing. This project has completed a Duck Creek Watershed Management Plan that recommends a three-pronged implementation strategy for restoring water quality and fish habitat. The Plan recommends that the community, land-use managers, and property owners focus on (1) Enforcement of existing ordinances and regulations; (2) Management actions involving application of BMPs and new policies; and (3) Restoration projects that have been identified in the Plan that will improve water quality, fish habitat, aesthetics, and economics. Demonstration projects have already been completed that utilize a diverse group of partners to restore wetlands and other habitats. The demonstration projects are being used to highlight local restoration efforts but also serve to transfer technological advances to other regions and restoration practitioners. The Duck Creek Advisory Group (DCAG) has worked with the City to enforce streambank setback ordinances and has recommended new BMPs for snow management which has caused significant sedimentation problems in the past. In addition, education has been an important tool for making the public aware of the problems and getting their participation. The DCAG has sponsored public meetings, participated in conservation events, supported school programs, held field trips for engineers, and participated in other youth conservation activities that have emphasized watershed management and restoration. The Duck Creek project has demonstrated multiple resource objectives through its creation of wetland habitats from old dredge ponds located in the stream corridor. The created wetlands will improve water quality, enhance anadromous fish and wildlife habitats, and provide a safer environment for children, outdoor education opportunities, and the catalyst for partnering human resources. Each project on Duck Creek is viewed holistically as a linkage or "piece of the puzzle" enabling the watershed to function as a complete system. For example, improvement in water quality and stream channel morphology in the upper watershed will benefit habitats downstream including the estuarine wetlands. This project demonstrates/showcases wetland creation technology, sediment removal technology for spawning habitat improvement, riparian habitat improvement, stream crossing replacement options for improving fish passage and channel morphology, and perhaps more importantly the, Duck Creek Advisory Group, the organizational structure or forum that has provided the opportunity for community involvement and partnerships. The DCAC has evolved into a larger, Mendenhall Watershed Partnership, which has even more stakeholder involvement and opportunities for citizens to be part of the planning and restoration process. Over 50% of the Duck Creek watershed is in private ownership (citizen and Native Corporation) with a lesser amount of land in municipal greenbelt/park areas (20 %), and some US Forest Service land (20%). Public support for this project is high and there are many opportunities for partnerships with nongovernmental organizations such as private contractors, Trout Unlimited, and Ducks Unlimited. The most significant roadblocks to progress are (1) the actual costs of restoration activities and (2) maintaining lead agency and technical support for the community-based program. There are many restoration costs that can not be off set by partnering and require upfront funding. These include the actual cost for materials such as bridges or arch culverts, water line pipe, aeration pumps, streambed liners, etc. The DCAG has, however, developed a cooperative effort with the Anchorage Office of the Army Corps of Engineers and expect the COE to fund up to eight of the most important restoration projects. NMFS Auke Bay Laboratory is the lead agency and provides much of the technical support to DCAG and the Mendenhall Watershed Partnership, but federal funding and staff reductions have made it difficult to keep the Duck Creek project a priority over other agency needs, particularly when outside funding does not cover salaries. Additional research is still needed to develop techniques for reducing the iron floc in the stream. DCAG just received a NFWF grant which will help fund a pilot study using aeration to reduce iron floc and create additional wetlands for naturally "scrubbing" the stream water. The Duck Creek project is based on a science approach where baseline assessments have been conducted to establish present conditions and identify problems. In the future, following management and restoration activities, these baselines will provide the needed before-and-after comparison to determine overall effectiveness of the program. Elementary school kids have monitored water quality on Duck Creek and have developed maps of the stream corridor and vegetation types. Each year, Juneau Trout Unlimited and the DCAG sponsor a public stream clean-up and barbeque on Duck Creek. Americorps volunteers have helped with revegetation of the riparian corridor and the created wetlands and other restoration projects. The partnerships on Duck Creek serve as a good demonstration of what can be accomplished through community cooperation.

Federal Contacts:

This page was last updated on Saturday, 24-Jun-2000 11:48:46 EDT
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