There has been extensive historic loss of tidal wetland habitat in Puget Sound’s large river delta sand smaller estuaries. The North Puget Sound has experienced the greatest absolute loss of tidal wetlands, requiring substantial restoration in this region to achieve Puget Sound scale recovery. 

From 2006 to 2023, approximately 3,420 acres of estuarine wetland have been restored to tidal flooding in the 16 largest river deltas in Puget Sound. Additional investments have increased habitat quality despite not increasing acres of estuary (thus are not captured by our indicator).  

Estuarine habitat is shaped by the influences of tides, freshwater, sediment transport and sediment deposition. Restoration efforts that target these ecological processes maximize resilience and help to sustain continued ecosystem function in the face of change. Early restoration progress often represents the least expensive or challenging projects, whereas delayed actions increase in cost and complexity. 

The number of large-scale estuary restoration projects implemented depends on a successful combination of funding, available land, community support, knowledge, project development, and permitting. Restoration activity must maintain landscape-scale benefits for agriculture, waterfowl and shellfish management, flood hazard reduction, and recreational use of these large deltas.

Healthy estuaries in turn can support the recovery of other Vital Signs including salmon, forage fish, birds, marine water quality, toxics in aquatic life, outdoor activity, and sense of place.