Ebey Island Wildlife Area Unit Management Plan (2023)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) began acquiring land on Ebey Island as far back as 1964, creating the first Wildlife Area Unit in the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area. Since that time, over 800 additional acres have been purchased with the purpose of restoring estuarine habitat for the recovery of threatened Chinook salmon. In 2011, after a majority of the property was purchased with the intent of salmon habitat recovery, WDFW conducted a feasibility study to determine whether habitat restoration was possible. The study found that restoration is possible and would be beneficial for salmon, however numerous social and financial constraints prevented restoration from moving forward at the time.

Although the funding used to purchase Ebey Island mandates that future use must benefit salmon recovery, Ebey Island has remained an area managed for agriculture and recreation (primarily hunting) since 2011. Social and financial constraints still prevent full-scale restoration from moving forward, however this plan is intended to be used as a guide for improving agriculture, recreation, fresh water habitat, and public access on site until restoration can be implemented.

Recreation

Current recreation on Ebey Island exists largely in the form of walk-in hunting with a focus on both pheasant hunting and waterfowl hunting. Birding and other non-consumptive recreation exists on site, however limited access around the site and often-present illegal activities makes the site undesirable for many would-be visitors.

WDFW will be constructing recreational updates to Ebey Island including improving the main parking area and creating a new hand-held boat launch into Deadwater Slough. Other recreational features such as interpretive signs, trails, and improved ADA accessibility for both consumptive and non-consumptive activities will be implemented as funding allows.

Agriculture

WDFW leases approximately 240 acres to a local farmer who manages crops on three different plots on the wildlife area unit. Agricultural leases on Ebey Island provide two important benefits. First, growing crops helps manage invasive weeds and other nuisance vegetation that might otherwise be difficult to control. Second, a small portion of each crop is left behind as wildlife forage, providing highly nutritious feed that attracts waterfowl and other wildlife.

The agricultural footprint on Ebey Island fluctuates with the level of soil moisture, and management actions are being considered to increase the amount of farmable land. These include mowing invasive reed canary grass and other undesirable vegetation, improving drainage on site, and incorporating moist-soil management practices.

Fen

According to Washington Department of Natural Resources and experts at Colorado State University, Ebey Island is home to a large-scale raised estuarine peatland called a fen. At up to 500 acres in size, it is the largest known habitat of this type and represents the largest forested wetland in the Snohomish basin. Long term sustainability of this habitat will depend on the protection of the underlying artesian aquifer that provides water to the site.

WDFW will consider applying for a special conservation designation for the feature and will make efforts to educate the public about its existence, how it was formed, and its rarity.

Managed Wetlands

Aside from the fen, Ebey Island contains numerous other wetland areas, many of which are dominated by reed canary grass and provide degraded habitat, take away from recreational access, and limit agricultural practices. Some of these wetlands also contain boils that pose a safety threat to visitors.

WDFW proposes working with Ducks Unlimited to better understand options for managing wetlands on site using water control structures, active mowing, and other plant succession techniques.

Conclusions

While Ebey Island will eventually be used to restore estuarine functions for Chinook salmon recovery, there are many low-impact management practices WDFW can implement to make the unit better for people and wildlife. This plan is intended to work in tandem with the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Management Plan and will be used to set management goals for the unit for the next ten years.