OLYMPIA--The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public comment on environmental documents that would clear the way to begin restoring a major estuarine wetland used by wild salmon.

The Deepwater Slough Habitat Restoration Project will restore more than 500 acres of the south fork of the Skagit River delta on WDFW's Skagit Wildlife Area in Skagit County for fish and wildlife.

WDFW on March 8 will issue a Determination of Non-Significance and other environmental documents for the project. The public may comment on the Determination of Non-Significance document through March 28.

Plans call for breaching or abandoning some 14,000 feet of dikes, while improving another 10,000 feet of dike walls and constructing another 8,300 feet. While enlarging the estuarine wetland habitat, WDFW will maintain some 332 acres in diked farmland to continue growing grain for waterfowl.

Persons wishing to comment on the project should address them to:

WDFW-Environmental Review and Technical Assistance Division
ATTENTION: Peter Birch
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA
98501-1091
Fax: (360) 902-2946
e-mail: rickanar@dfw.wa.gov

Copies of the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment that is scheduled to be adopted is available for review during normal business hours at the following locations:

WDFW-Habitat and Lands Services Program
Natural Resources Building, 5th Floor
1111 Washington St. SE,
Olympia

WDFW-Region 4 Office
16018 Mill Creek Blvd
Mill Creek

WDFW-LaConner District Office
111 Sherman St.
LaConner

WDFW-Region 6 Office
48 Devonshire Road
Montesano

Washington State Library
16th and Water St.
Olympia

Natural Resources Library
Natural Resources Building, 2nd floor
1111 Washington St. SE
Olympia