Snohomish Estuary Blue Carbon

The Snohomish estuary is representative of the region with extensive clearing and drainage of wetlands and an active and community supported program of restoration activities. Potentially, the landscape of the Snohomish and neighboring estuaries offers relatively high resilience to sea level rise potentially allowing climate change adaptation and mitigation to be combined.

The “Coastal Blue Carbon Opportunity Assessment for the Snohomish Estuary” assesses the potential impact of estuary restoration on sequestered soil carbon stock. In this study, based upon field and GIS analysis we quantified historic emission with wetland conversion and quantified carbon sequestration benefits of ongoing wetlands restoration activities and potential wider benefits should restoration be expanded. The analysis also included an assessment of the impacts of sea level rise on carbon sequestration.

ESA also provided technical contributions to Restore America’s Estuaries during briefings at Offices of Congress, White House Administration Offices (CEQ, OMB) and Federal agencies.