Emma Schmitz Memorial Marine Preserve

WAC 220-16-860: "Emma Schmitz Memorial Marine Preserve" is defined as those tidelands owned by the City of Seattle and the water column above those tidelands down to 4.5 feet below MLLW at Emma Schmitz city park, bounded on the south by a line projected along the north edge of SW Oregon Street and bounded on the north by a line projected west southwest from the high tide line at 122° 24' 26.5" W, 47° 33' 53.5" N. Effective since 5/1/2005.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE MAP

(Note: this is the same map as used for the Richey Viewpoint MP)

Geographic Statistics Area Type Acres Hectares Intertidal 6.34 2.56 Subtidal None None Total 6.34 2.56 Links to other imagery about this site Oblique aerial photos from the WA Dept. of Ecology Satellite photos of the area from Terraserver at Microsoft
The map at left, extracted from the Emma Schmitz Memorial MPA map, has the locations (A through D) of the photographer from where the images below were taken. The view from the northern edge of SW Oregon Street (point A in the index picture above), looking south-westerly. This line marks the southern boundary of the MP. The southern boundary line passes through the southernmost tip of the hand rail (viewed from point B). An overview of the southern portion of the MP, facing NW from just outside southern boundary of the MPA (just below point B). Looking south-easterly from the MP's northern area (point C). Looking NW at the northern boundary (from point D), which starts at the intersection of the seawall and the fence. A view of the MP and surrounds, taken from the Richey Viewpoint MP. The north and south limits are roughly indicated by vertical red lines.	Recreational Restrictions / Openings Species Status Comments, notes... Salmon Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Trout Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Bottomfish Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Shellfish Closed Note: inadvertent takes by hook and line must be returned to the same location. Forage Fish Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Unclassified Closed Note: inadvertent takes by hook and line must be returned to the same location. Commercial Restrictions / Openings Species Status Comments, notes... Salmon Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Bottomfish Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Shellfish Closed Note: inadvertent takes by hook and line must be returned to the same location. Forage Fish Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Unclassified Closed Note: inadvertent takes by hook and line must be returned to the same location.
Prominent and unique features Emma Schmitz Memorial Marine Preserve is composed primarily of sand, gravel and cobble with scattered boulders. Clay benches are found in places, often buried under several inches of sand and gravel. The backshore is formed by a continuous seawall. Description of fish, bird, and mammal resources at the site The beach supports a wide variety of invertebrate species plus a moderate growth of seaweeds. The lower intertidal hosts eelgrass beds that extend into the subtidal supporting additional invertebrates, residential and migratory waterfowl and numerous fishes, including juvenile salmon. Adult salmon may also be present just offshore. The low-subtidal also provides substrate for seasonal kelp beds, providing habitat for dozens of species of fishes. Harbor seals, California sea lions and orca whales have been observed in offshore areas. Programs in place to manage the site The Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist program provides extensive beach interpretation in the late spring and summer. In addition, Seattle Aquarium Citizen Science staff and volunteers conduct periodic ecological surveys at the site for long-term monitoring and science education opportunities. Issues of concern Educating the public about the boundaries of these closed areas as well as their purpose will be crucial to success. The Seattle Aquarium Beach Stewards program will be important in addressing this. Due to the popularity of these areas, impacts from increased non-consumptive use are a potential concern (trampling, etc.). Performance measures Continued or increasing use for education, watchable wildlife users, and non-consumptive uses. Maintenance or increase in numbers and diversity of intertidal organisms.