The potter marsh watershed conservation project phase i will permanently protect 62.2 acres of the largest remaining unprotected and undeveloped tract of urban coastal wetlands ecosystem, containing…

The potter marsh watershed conservation project phase i will permanently protect 62.2 acres of the largest remaining unprotected and undeveloped tract of urban coastal wetlands ecosystem, containing coastal streams and nationally declining wetlands that directly provide important hydrologic function of the potter marsh unit of the refuge. Phase i will conserve approximately 21% of the total desired project acres and put in place the partners critical to the success of future phases. The total project, including future phases, expects to conserve 302.6 acres containing coastal wetlands. Conserving the phase i parcels will protect freshwater input vital to the potter marsh ecosystem. Groundwater and surface water flow from the project parcels are vital for wetland recharge in potter marsh. The phase i property will protect 6,335 linear feet of streams directly adjacent to potter marsh. Streams flowing into potter marsh provide salmon spawning habitat and potter marsh serves as an important nursery area for juvenile anadromous fish as they undergo the physiological transformation to life in the ocean. Estuaries are areas of high productivity that provide shallow water habitat with cover that allow juvenile fish to feed and grow without the exposure to high velocity tidal currents and large predators they will face in the deeper waters of upper cook inlet and the open ocean. Freshwater systems to which salmon return are critical to the maintenance of their populations. Thousands of migratory birds stopover to rest and recharge. Many coastal-dependent birds nest in potter marsh and use the marsh and adjacent habitats for feeding. Conserving the project parcels will benefit the endangered cook inlet beluga whales by supporting all five species of salmon found in alaska that are an important food source for the cook inlet beluga whales. The project will achieve conservation objectives in the anchorage bowl parks, natural resource, and recreation facility plan, the anchorage coastal wildlife refuge management plan, heritage land bank potter valley land use plan, municipality of anchorage hillside district plan, and the anchorage 2040 plan that describes public support for conserving the wetlands on the subject property to benefit anchorage's water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and education opportunities. The phase i project will conserve the number one ranking wetland parcel in great land trust's 2010 wetland prioritization drafted in partnership with U.S. Fish and wildlife service, U.S. Army corps of engineers, NOAA, state of alaska, and municipality of anchorage. The phase i project parcels will protect a wildlife and hydrologic corridor linking the refuge with chugach state park and create a new public trail network with recreational and educational opportunities critical for anchorage's largest city.