Effects of Development on Coho Salmon and Implications for Stream Habitat Restoration

Abstract

Examination of a 20-year record of spawning coho salmon abundance from more than 80 streams in central Puget Sound indicated that even modest levels of development within a watershed were associated with reductions is salmon abundance. The fact that current zoning in this region directs nearly all future development into areas that support salmon suggests that populations will continue to be affected by development. Identification, protection, and restoration of locations that currently support productive salmon populations may enable salmon to persist as development continues. However, there are no current land use procedures that prioritize protection or restoration efforts based on the potential of a location to support salmon. Such an approach will likely be required for naturally-spawning populations of these fishes to survive in the region.