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WRIA 9 Happenings
On March 9, the U.S Army Corps announced an additional $50M in funding for construction of downstream fish passage at Howard Hanson Dam as part of President Biden’s proposed Fiscal 2024 Budget for the Army’s Civil Works program. The investment was highlighted as part of the Corps commitment to the President’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40 percent of the benefits of Federal climate and clean energy investments directly benefit disadvantaged communities and Tribal nations. If secured, this combined with the $220M from the IIJA, represents ~30% of the total cost estimate reauthorized in the 2022 Water Resources Development Act. The Corps stated that they are on track for initiating construction in 2026.
Partner Updates
Lower Green River Flood Hazard Management Plan draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) released for Public Comment
The King County Flood Control District (District) is considering developing a Lower Green River Corridor Flood Hazard Management Plan. To inform a plan, the District prepared a draft PEIS, and it is available for review and comment March 20 through May 4, 2023. The Draft PEIS analyzes three different approaches to reducing flood risks in the Lower Green River Corridor while providing other important benefits. All three alternatives we studied would substantially reduce flooding during a major flood. The comment period for the PEIS is currently open from March 20, 2023 through May 4, 2023. Learn more at LowerGreenSEPA.org.
Let's plan ahead for flooding, together
Flooding is part of a healthy ecosystem. It recharges our groundwater, can help improve water quality, and creates habitat for fish and wildlife. Of course, flooding can also be dangerous to people and our infrastructure.
King County is developing a plan that will shape flood related programs and policies for years to come. Visit the 2024 King County Flood Management Plan engagement hub today. You can share what flooding problems concern you and what services would benefit your community in an online survey, open through June 30. You can also check out an upcoming events calendar or suggest events for King County to come to in your community. Visit the website for more information or contact Jason Wilkinson by email or at 206-477-4786.
Salmon Friendly Projects
2022 was a busy year for Salmon Friendly, Mid Sound’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) program! With our contractors and eager landowners, we installed 25 distinct GSI projects. Working on private properties in Woodinville, Covington, Kent, Issaquah, Ravensdale, and across unincorporated King County, we installed 1,335 square feet of rain gardens, 13 cisterns to store 6,010 gallons of rainwater, and approximately 1,700 square feet of native plant habitat across the watersheds. A huge thank you to the incredible teams from Cascade Ecology, Kat’s Landscaping, and Rain Dog Designs who installed these important projects. Salmon Friendly is funded by the EPA through the NEP Program and the Stormwater Strategic Initiative.
The juvenile salmon are coming!
Join us for Duwamish Alive! On Saturday April 15th in restoring habitat along the Green-Duwamish River for juvenile salmon that are coming down the river this spring. The river is home to all 5 salmon species including Chinook.
We will be restoring habitat at multiple locations throughout the watershed from Elliot Bay to Kent, we are all connected. Həʔapus Village Park which will also have our Duwamish tribal welcome, presentations, and tabling — all are invited, volunteers and visitors. Instruction, tools, and snacks are provided for restoration activities. This event is family friendly!
View the website for more information and to register.
Puget Sound Regional Council - Planning Stormwater Parks
Puget Sound Regional Council has developed a guidance document on planning stormwater parks. Stormwater parks cost effectively manage stormwater for large areas and provide recreational opportunities for the surrounding communities. Stormwater parks also help improve water quality and fish habitat, build resilience to climate change by increasing greenspace and stormwater management, and provide educational opportunities on environmental issues. PSRC’s new guidance provides steps in planning a stormwater park, recommendations for integrating equity and maintenance considerations, and information on funding for planning, construction, and maintenance. The guide profiles stormwater parks that have been built in the region and includes lessons learned from them.
Ravensdale Creek Fish Passage Project
Last fall, WSDOT, in cooperation with King County Parks, completed construction of the Ravensdale Creek Fish Passage Project a few miles south of Maple Valley, Washington. This project remedied three culverts that were partial fish passage barriers on Ravensdale Creek. The culverts under SR169 and the future Green-to-Cedar Rivers Trail were replaced by long bridges. One other culvert under a past alignment of SR169 was removed entirely and the creek restored. The project opens up 2.4 miles of upstream habitat for salmon and steelhead. The restored stream channel can be viewed from one of the new bridges. The project salvaged trees removed for the project to place along the restored stream channel to help form complex habitat.
Planning for Beavers
King County’s Science section recently released “Planning for Beavers Manual: Anticipating Beavers when Designing Restoration Projects.” This manual is intended to help project managers, design teams, and more to coexist with beavers and provide a proactive approach to restoration planning. Planning for beavers with the help of this manual is intended to increase project success, help foster and maintain good relations with neighbors, reduce uncertainty associated with beaver activity and help project, program, and site managers better plan and budget for operations, maintenance, and monitoring.
Over the past decade, ecologists and engineers implementing restoration projects in King County have shifted from tolerating beavers to actively incorporating beaver activity into design plans. This Manual was written as those changes were underway and will continue to observe new findings. Contact Jennifer Vanderhoof to share a comment or suggest a change or addition.
Sixgill sharks washing up on shorelines: A local shark death mystery.
Read the full Vashon Nature Center article.
Grant Announcements & Job Opportunities
Apply for a 2023 Flood Reduction Grant!
The King County Flood Control District (District) has made available at least $12 million in grant funding for projects that reduce the impact of flooding. The deadline to apply for a 2023 grant is May 25.
The program targets flood reduction projects throughout King County. The District is specifically interested in reaching tribes, homeowner associations, non-profit organizations, schools, special purpose districts, cities, towns, and agencies in King County. Grants awarded in the past have ranged from $10,000 to $1.5 million. To qualify for funding, projects must directly address existing or potential flooding. Projects that achieve multiple benefits are encouraged.
Online informational meetings will be offered on April 18 and 20 to learn more about the grants and application process. Please visit the Flood Reduction Grants webpage for more information. Contact Kim Harper at 206-477-6079 or kim.harper@kingcounty.gov with questions.
Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is currently hiring the following positions:
The Restoration Program Manager implements ecological restoration projects that focus on improving ecological health and function through stewardship of natural lands and public open spaces. This individual is responsible for a broad portfolio of projects with a focus on riparian restoration (to improve habitat for threatened Chinook and other salmon species), community-oriented restoration (in areas with less access to natural lands), urban forests, carbon crediting, climate resilience, and forest and ecosystem health.
The Community Partnerships & Projects Manager is responsible for establishing and growing relationships with community groups, local and state agencies, local stakeholders, non-profit organizations, and volunteers in urban communities within the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area (NHA). The goal of these efforts is to promote more equitable, healthy, and sustainable relationships between people and the lands and waters of the Greenway NHA through long-term cooperation and stewardship..
View the website for more information.
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