The city’s next open space purchase could lead to reclamation of an estuary in Murden Cove.
The city council Wednesday will consider purchase of the 1.3-acre “Kane property” off Manitou Beach Drive, a parcel that is key to any plans for the marsh project.
Open Space Commission member Dwight Sutton described the $350,000 purchase proposal as a “placeholder,” to let the city explore the environmental project that is backed by many neighbors.
“We’ve got a challenge,” Sutton said, “but even if it doesn’t work, we still have something we wouldn’t have otherwise – namely, the beach.”
Under consideration is a waterfront property comprising three building lots east of the Murden Cove Drive loop. The lots would be reconfigured through a boundary line adjustment, leaving current owners Peter and Elyse Kane one small building lot on a corner next to the road.
The remaining L-shaped lot would connect the nearby cove with an upland marsh held by another property owner.
Neighbors would like to see that marsh – fed by an unnamed stream from the hillside above, and which could provide a critical habitat area for salmonids and other species – restored to a functional estuarine environment.
Therein lies one of the many difficulties posed by the purchase: the city wouldn’t come away with marsh itself, the very property neighbors hope to see reclaimed.
Discussion at a recent commission meeting included the possibility of the city acquiring the marsh as well, but there is no formal proposal to do so. That leaves the council to decide whether, without the marsh project, the Kane property has any value to the public.
“Some have said, ‘don’t do it, there are too many what-ifs,’” said Andy Maron, Open Space Commission chair. “Others say all those what-ifs can be resolved.
“It’s going to be a real challenge for the city staff, the neighborhood and other folks to get the various grants together to design and implement this.”
The Kane property was nominated for purchase by the Murden Cove Preservation Association and several neighbors.
Stephanie Moret, water resources specialist for the city, said the first step after purchase would be to undertake hydrology and wetlands studies to determine the feasibility of marsh restoration.
The marsh now is landlocked, as a blocked culvert prevents saltwater from entering what would otherwise be an estuary environment.
Reclamation likely would involve excavation of fill material, and construction of a larger culvert beneath Manitou Beach Drive – similar to the one installed under Pleasant Beach Drive in the construction of Shel-Chelb Estuary – to allow saltwater and its various inhabitants to reach the marsh.
“A lot of species are dependent on salt marshes during all or part of their life cycle,” Moret said.
With 73 percent of Puget Sound estuaries having been filled for development, she said, the project is “noble” and would stand a good chance of securing state grant funding. Several neighbors have already applied for grants.
If the project falls through, or meets with opposition from the marsh owner, Sutton and Maron agreed that the city could keep the 200-foot strip of beach and sell the two remaining building lots. Proceeds would go back into the open space fund.
Even as the Kane issue is debated, the Open Space Commission is close to securing several other “high priority” parcels.
Last month, commission members brokered the donation to the city of the 13-acre M&E tree farm off Lovgreen Road. The $600,000 parcel likely will be used for trail linkages or other passive outdoor enjoyment.
The commission on Tuesday will discuss acquisition of two smaller parcels nearby, the 5-acre Morales farm off Lovgreen Road, and a 2.1-acre woodland next to the M&E farm.
The parcels are desirable for their proximity to the farming district roughly bounded by the highway, and Day and Lovgreen roads. They are crossed by an old county road that would afford pedestrian and bike access.
Formal recommendations for purchase could go to the council within a month.
“Fortuitousness and design are working here,” Maron said.
