HomeMy WebLinkAbout041FEB Z 6 2016
Salish Cliffs achieves first Salmon-Safe golf course certification
TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012
Squaxin lsland Tribe's new Salish Cliffs Golf Club has become the first "Salmon-Safe" certified golf course
after successfully passing an exhaustive assessment verifying the Tribe's commitment to protecting
native habitat, managing water runoff, reducing pesticides, and advancing environmental practices
throughout the region.
The Salmon-Safe Golf Course Certification program is an offshoot of the popular Northwest eco-label for
agricultural and vineyard practices, administered in Washington by the Seattle-based non-profit
Stewardship Partners. The program looks at site development practices to protect water quality, fish
and wildlife habitat, and overall watershed health based on a detailed set of peer-reviewed guidelines.
A highly technical and efficient water treatment system that generates Class A reuse water from Little
Creek Casino Resort is exemplary of the detail and effort that Squaxin lsland Tribe employed to earn
Salmon-Safe certification at Salish Cliffs. The treated water is stored for its intended use irrigating the
course during summer.
When we decided to build Salish Cliffs, we vowed to uphold our Tribal mission to nurture our people and
our land and ensure both thrive for generations to come," said Dave Lopeman, Squaxin lsland Tribal
Council Chairman. "Creating and maintaining an eco-sensitive course from site planning through
ongoing operation was essential to us and the people of Western Washington. Special recognition goes
to Jeff Dickison, Assistant Natural Resources Director for Squaxin lsland Tribe, and Salish Cliffs
Superintendent Bob Pearsall. Their joint dedication and persistence spearheaded this significant
achievement."
The independent review process was conducted by a team of experts in the fields of stream ecology,
storm water management, golf course design, and landscape management. Salmon-Safe assessment
validated the Tribe's efforts to protect wetlands and streams, preserve existing trees, and ensure the
land is protected.
Squaxin lsland Tribe is acting on several assessment team recommendations to enhance its
management program. For example, in an effort to minimize storm water pollution from its clubhouse
parking lot, the Tribe willjoin with Stewardship Partners to install a rain garden and further implement
other innovative methods to minimize storm water runoff. The Tribe has proactively reduced and/or
eliminated pesticides used at Salish Cliffs that could be harmful to salmon. And it continues to enhance
the wildlife habitat across the site.
The Squaxin lsland Tribe designed Salish Cliffs from inception to support salmon so they can once again
thrive in south PugetSound," said David Burger, Executive Directorof Stewardship Partners. "We hope
that Salmon-Safe certification of Salish Cliffs demonstrates to the golf industry that environmental
innovation and world-class courses are mutually beneficial."
Salish Cliffs Golf Club is the brand-new, 18-hole championship course and amenity of Little Creek Casino
Resort. Salish Cliffs was designed by golf course architect Gene Bates and 2072 marks its first full season.
It has already won several best-in-kind awards from national golf media.