Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project

Client: Washington State Department of Enterprise Services
Management of an interdisciplinary project team, SEPA Environmental Impact Statement, design and permitting, stakeholder engagement, and development of a shared funding approach for construction and management of a 260-acre waterbody.

Overview of Floyd|Snider Contributions

Project management and overall strategy
Co-author of SEPA EIS
Development of decision-making process, incorporating science, stakeholder input, and costs
Direct engagement with Squaxin Island Tribe, Cities of Olympia and Tumwater, Thurston County, Port of Olympia, DNR, Ecology, and WDFW
Recurring briefings to legislators and the Governor’s Office
Steering and review of interdisciplinary technical analyses and design
Development and implementation of comprehensive stakeholder and public engagement plan
Project permitting lead

Project Summary

The Deschutes Estuary is, and has historically been, used by local tribes for subsistence and ceremonial purposes.

Capitol Lake was formed in 1951 following construction of a dam, which restricted flow between the Deschutes River and Puget Sound, and transformed the expansive estuary into a freshwater lake. The sole purpose of the dam was to create a reflecting pool of water for the Washington State Capitol Campus. For decades, Capitol Lake was used for recreation by the local community. For decades, Capitol Lake was used for recreation by the local community. Today, the 260-acre Capitol Lake basin is closed to active public use. It is plagued by environmental issues including the presence of invasive species, violations of water quality standards, and inadequate sediment management. While there was agreement on the need for sediment management, the stakeholder discourse regarding the resource has been polarized for decades given the stark difference in management options for this vast landscape and waterbody in downtown Olympia.

The Deschutes Estuary is, and has historically been, used by local tribes for subsistence and ceremonial purposes. Capitol Lake was formed in 1951 following construction of a dam, which restricted flow between the Deschutes River and Puget Sound, and transformed the expansive estuary into a freshwater lake. The sole purpose of the dam was to create a reflecting pool of water for the Washington State Capitol Campus. For decades, Capitol Lake was used for recreation by the local community. For decades, Capitol Lake was used for recreation by the local community. Today, the 260-acre Capitol Lake basin is closed to active public use. It is plagued by environmental issues including the presence of invasive species, violations of water quality standards, and inadequate sediment management. While there was agreement on the need for sediment management, the stakeholder discourse regarding the resource has been polarized for decades given the stark difference in management options for this vast landscape and waterbody in downtown Olympia.

Our Approach

In 2018, Floyd|Snider was selected to lead an EIS process on behalf of Washington State Department of Enterprise Services.

The interdisciplinary analysis considered potential impacts and benefits of the long-term management options, including an alternative that maintained the dam and Capitol Lake, one that proposed estuary restoration with removal of the dam, and a hybrid of the two. The analysis evaluated potential impacts to downstream land uses, including a working port and marinas that could be impacted from sediment transport if the dam were removed; shoreline vegetation and overall ecosystem health; restoration of recreational opportunities that are currently restricted; the overall visual and economic landscape in the center of an urban community; and other considerations of the natural and built environments.

In fall 2022, Floyd|Snider and DES issued the Final EIS and it was not appealed. Floyd|Snider had developed a custom decision-making process for this project, which numerically scored the alternatives against a broad range of criteria, including and incorporating stakeholder input. Of the three action alternatives (Managed Lake, Estuary, or Hybrid), the Estuary Alternative, which would remove the dam, was identified as the preferred alternative.

In 2023, Floyd|Snider was selected to lead the design and permitting of the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project. The Floyd|Snider Team includes key teaming partner KPFF Engineers, along with Environmental Science Associates, Moffatt & Nichol, McMillen, ECONorthwest, LMN Architects, Clarity Engineering, and Ross Strategic. Under the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project, a new 5th Avenue Bridge will be built with vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle lanes, and the existing 5th Avenue Bridge and Dam will be removed to restore tidal exchange. Tidal flats will be the predominant habitat type, with approximately 100 acres of marsh habitat established along the shoreline, which will improve ecological conditions in the project area. The project will also construct boardwalks along the shoreline and will restore boating and fishing to the waterbody.

As part of the EIS process, Floyd|Snider also led the negotiations with local governments and other key stakeholders to develop and execute a Memorandum of Understanding to provide shared funding for increased sediment management in West Bay through 2050. This will allow the vibrant Olympia waterfront, with boating, to be maintained in the restored Deschutes Estuary. Development of an Interlocal Agreement began in October 2023.

Throughout this project, Floyd|Snider has implemented a public and stakeholder engagement approach that convened Executive, Technical, and Funding and Governance Work Groups, and a Community Sounding Board. Purposeful, structured, and timely engagement allowed these stakeholders to provide meaningful input throughout the EIS process. The engagement will continue through design so that the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project is reflective of stakeholder input, and is community-supported.

Project Milestones:

2021. Draft EIS issued
2022. Final EIS with Preferred Alternative issued
2021. Anticipated 30% design

In 2018, Floyd|Snider was selected to lead an EIS process on behalf of Washington State Department of Enterprise Services. The interdisciplinary analysis considered potential impacts and benefits of the long-term management options, including an alternative that maintained the dam and Capitol Lake, one that proposed estuary restoration with removal of the dam, and a hybrid of the two. The analysis evaluated potential impacts to downstream land uses, including a working port and marinas that could be impacted from sediment transport if the dam were removed; shoreline vegetation and overall ecosystem health; restoration of recreational opportunities that are currently restricted; the overall visual and economic landscape in the center of an urban community; and other considerations of the natural and built environments.

In fall 2022, Floyd|Snider and DES issued the Final EIS and it was not appealed. Floyd|Snider had developed a custom decision-making process for this project, which numerically scored the alternatives against a broad range of criteria, including and incorporating stakeholder input. Of the three action alternatives (Managed Lake, Estuary, or Hybrid), the Estuary Alternative, which would remove the dam, was identified as the preferred alternative.

In 2023, Floyd|Snider was selected to lead the design and permitting of the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project. The Floyd|Snider Team includes key teaming partner KPFF Engineers, along with Environmental Science Associates, Moffatt & Nichol, McMillen, ECONorthwest, LMN Architects, Clarity Engineering, and Ross Strategic. Under the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project, a new 5th Avenue Bridge will be built with vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle lanes, and the existing 5th Avenue Bridge and Dam will be removed to restore tidal exchange. Tidal flats will be the predominant habitat type, with approximately 100 acres of marsh habitat established along the shoreline, which will improve ecological conditions in the project area. The project will also construct boardwalks along the shoreline and will restore boating and fishing to the waterbody.

As part of the EIS process, Floyd|Snider also led the negotiations with local governments and other key stakeholders to develop and execute a Memorandum of Understanding to provide shared funding for increased sediment management in West Bay through 2050. This will allow the vibrant Olympia waterfront, with boating, to be maintained in the restored Deschutes Estuary. Development of an Interlocal Agreement began in October 2023.

Throughout this project, Floyd|Snider has implemented a public and stakeholder engagement approach that convened Executive, Technical, and Funding and Governance Work Groups, and a Community Sounding Board. Purposeful, structured, and timely engagement allowed these stakeholders to provide meaningful input throughout the EIS process. The engagement will continue through design so that the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project is reflective of stakeholder input, and is community-supported.

Project Milestones:

2021. Draft EIS issued
2022. Final EIS with Preferred Alternative issued
2021. Anticipated 30% design

Project Team

Floyd|Snider
Environmental Science Associates
EcoNW
Ross Strategic
Moffatt & Nichol
McMillen
LMN Architects
Clarity Engineering
Herrera (EIS)
Heffron Transportation (EIS)
Northwest Vernacular (EIS)
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