EVERETT — A massive earth-moving project to transform low-lying farmland along the Snohomish River delta into salmon habitat could break ground in August, after more than a decade of preparation.

Snohomish County’s Smith Island project would flood about 350 acres now protected by dikes. State and federal agencies consider it a vital piece of the strategy to revive Chinook salmon stocks in Puget Sound. They have supplied grants to cover most of the $26 million cost.

The county’s Public Works Department is accepting bids this month from contractors to perform the bulk of heavy construction.

“The bid now is the majority of the work building the new infrastructure, the new dike and drainage system,” said Steve Dickson, a public works special projects manager.

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