2020 Harper Estuary and Park Planning – Ecology Grant Project: June 2020 Project Update
2019 Harper Estuary and Park Planning – Ecology Grant Project: July 2019 Progress Update

Harper Estuary Restoration Project

Phase 1 Project Components: Lead – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

  • Replacing the existing culvert under Southworth Drive at Harper Creek – COMPLETE
  • Removal of industrial fill including bricks, gravel, and extra fill placement amounting to approximately 15,000 cubic yards of material – COMPLETE
  • Replacing the existing hand launch facility and beach access at the NE corner of Olympiad and Southworth Drive

Construction Updates

Phase 2 Project Components: Lead – Kitsap County

  • Remove existing 36-inch culvert and associated road fill under Olympiad Drive and replace with a 120 ft bridge
  • ADA compliant beach access

Meeting Summaries and Presentations

June 17, 2015

April 6, 2015

Completed Assessments and Surveys

Cultural Resources Survey

(COMPLETED, May 2015)

The Harper Park parking area and ball field was closed for several hours in the daytime on May 19 – 21, 2015 to allow archaeological and cultural resource investigations of the former Harper brick factory site. The digging, analysis and refilling of the test pits will provide important information toward the preliminary design of the Harper Estuary restoration project which includes fill removal, boat landing relocation and culvert replacement on Olympiad Drive.

Traffic Study

(COMPLETED, April 2014)

The traffic study evaluates potential impacts associated with the restoration option that would have the greatest potential transportation impact: the closing of SE Olympiad Drive.

Phase II Assessment

(COMPLETED, April 2014)

Washington Department of Ecology’s contractor, Leidos, is conducting this study where environmental samples are collected and analyzed to characterize the type, distribution and extent of hazardous substances in the environment.  On Feb. 20, 2014, field crews sampled in the upland area of the estuary.  A summary of the sampling conducted for the Harper Estuary is provided here:

Project Introduction Meetings

(COMPLETED January – March 2014)

Neighborhood meetings were scheduled to introduce the project, the stakeholders, discuss the importance of estuaries, and begin to establish communication with the Harper community. These meetings had the same agenda and the same questionnaire was used to provide needed feedback information. The comment input received to date will help the Department of Fish and Wildlife move forward with draft conceptual options for the estuary restoration.  In order to effectively honor the community voices of these meetings, a completed Introductory Meeting Summary Report is provided:

Historical Map of Harper Estuary