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Gig Harbor Rotary proposes North Creek restoration; Parks Commission asks staff to work with group
Summary
The Gig Harbor Parks Commission recommended that city staff work with the Gig Harbor Rotary to develop an annual, biologist‑guided North (Donkey) Creek stream‑enhancement program, after the Rotary described volunteer capacity and experience and commissioners discussed permits, culvert removal and monitoring needs.
Doreen Huang, speaking for the Gig Harbor Rotary Club, told the Gig Harbor Parks Commission on May 6 that the club wants to coordinate recurring volunteer restoration work on North Creek (also called Donkey Creek). “We have a 145 members. We've been around Gig Harbor since 1974,” Huang said, and described past Rotary projects including pavilion and museum work.
Huang said Rotary’s environmental committee proposes identifying high‑priority, biologist‑recommended tasks each year, mobilizing volunteers to remove invasive plants, plant natives and help with monitoring such as turbidity, water temperature and salmon returns. “We need the city's approval to do it,” she said, adding that the group does not expect the effort to be chiefly a monetary burden: “If we need to raise money, we'll raise money. But…we don't see this as a monetary issue as much as mobilizing people and creating awareness.”
Commissioners and staff asked about legal, logistical and budget implications. Parks Manager Jennifer Harrow confirmed much of the creek upstream to the new bridge is city land or under conservation easements and said the city would need to clear volunteer work with existing collective‑bargaining and maintenance arrangements. Commissioners noted a collapsed culvert on a city property that currently blocks upstream fish passage; speakers said removing that structure would likely require permitting.
After discussion about partners (Pierce County, county biologists, and the Wild Fish Conservancy), a commissioner moved to recommend that city staff work with Rotary to develop a comprehensive stream enhancement and restoration program for the North Creek watershed. The commission voted by voice and approved the recommendation to city staff.
The commission’s action sends the idea to staff for a framework — including coordination with county experts, permits for any culvert work, and monitoring plans — that staff can bring back to the commission and then to city council if needed.
Next steps: staff will work with Rotary and technical partners to scope the program, identify necessary permits and clarify any costs or funding needs for council consideration.
