|
$500 million Earmarked for Downstream Fish Passage at Howard Hanson Dam
The President's 2025 budget request includes $500M for the downstream fish passage facility at Howard Hanson Dam! If enacted this would fully fund construction of the critical fish passage project and restore salmon access to over 100 miles of habitat in the upper watershed. This project has been the top habitat priority within WRIA 9 since the ratification of the 2005 Salmon Habitat Plan. The timing of the proposed funding would help keep construction of the downstream fish passage facility on track for completion by 2030 deadline established by the NOAA Fisheries. Special thanks to Senator Patty Murray and the Washington State federal delegation for their continued commitment towards fully funding this project.
Read the full article.
WRIA 9 Happenings
Duwamish Alive! The Juvenile Salmon are Coming!
Join Duwamish Alive! 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 which are important to the local resident orca.
Duwamish Alive! will be restoring habitat at multiple locations throughout the watershed. Həʔapus Village Park will have a Duwamish tribal welcome, presentations and tabling with instruction, tools, and snacks provided for restoration activities. Family friendly!
View the website for more information on the locations or to register to volunteer. Support was provided by the Pacific Northwest Grassroots Fund, a grantmaking fund administered by the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment.
Planet Protectors Summit event
 |
The Planet Protectors Summit, an event that is proudly sponsored by the City of Kent, aims to inspire 4th-grade students to embrace the role of environmental guardians. Held annually in March at the Green River College, the Summit features captivating live demonstrations by presenters representing various organizations dedicated to environmental conservation. Participants interact with experts from diverse fields, including representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, Soos Creek Water District, King County Wastewater Division, and more. Presentations provide invaluable insights on water conservation, natural resources, recycling, and pollution. Notably, the Summit also features the City of Kent's Enviroscape, an interactive 3-D visualization of the water cycle. Through hands-on engagement, students utilize spray bottles to simulate rainfall on the landscape, observing firsthand how contaminants runoff and impact our bodies of water.
WSDOT and City of Des Moines Worked in Partnership to Help Repair Fish Passage
For many years, Barnes Creek in Des Moines ran through a two-foot-wide pipe beneath State Route 516/ Kent Des Moines Road. That pipe prevented fish from passing beneath the road and had started to fail, threatening the integrity of the roadway. To complete the project, WSDOT partnered with the City of Des Moines. In Sept. 2023, the failing pipe was replaced with a 20-foot-wide box culvert. Crews rebuilt the natural stream with woody debris, rock and native plants and opened nearly a mile of upstream habitat for resident and migrating fish that was previously blocked.
New Zealand Mud Snails at Duwamish River People's Park
The Port of Seattle recently confirmed the presence of New Zealand mud snails (NZMS) at Duwamish River People’s Park. This discovery was made through routine monitoring of the site that included benthic sampling and is the first recorded observation of the species in the Duwamish, though the Port suspects this is because there is not a lot of benthic sampling in the river in general. Review King County’s info on NZMS and decontamination or your local jurisdiction’s BMPs for decontamination.
Storming the Sound with Salmon
For this school year, Federal Way is continuing its partnership with Federal Way Public School district to implement the Storming the Sound with Salmon program. Thirty-four schools are participating and over 1,600 4th graders are anticipated to attend the Release Event on April 23, 24, April 30, and May 1, 2024. If you are interested in volunteering or presenting at the event, please reach out SWM@federalwaywa.gov.
View the website for more information on the program and a brief write up on last year’s release.
25th Anniversary of Save Habitat and Diversity of Wetlands
This year Save Habitat And Diversity Of Wetlands (SHADOW) celebrates its 25th anniversary. SHADOW’s leadership has grown the Nature Preserve from the single 18-acre purchase of SHADOW Lake Bog in 1997 to a non-profit that stewards over 125 acres of critical wetland and upland forested habitat today. SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve serves as a vital green space for the local community, offering educational programs and ethical stewardship opportunities to all. SHADOW is proud of its partnership with WRIA 9 that led to the protection of wetlands that feed the headwaters of Jenkins Creek and provide cool, clear water downstream for salmon.
This time of year is a wonderful time to visit SHADOW. Three miles of trails allow you to enjoy the different habitat types at the preserve. Reservations are required to hike the trails and you can make one on SHADOW’s website or by calling the preserve at (425) 432-4924. For more information on upcoming events, visit the calendar of events.
Sustainability Ambassadors Features New Salmon Stewardship Lesson
Sustainability Ambassadors has created a collection of Salmon Stewardship Lesson Plans to support critical thinking and problem solving in middle school and high school science and social studies classrooms. The first lesson in the collection is titled, “Are Salmon and People Thriving at My Watershed Address?” Students break down this question through an exploration of salmon survival data, equity demographics, and a broad map inquiry using My Watershed Address to stretch their geographic literacy as they learn to care for their part of the watershed. See the full Collection of Lessons and help us generate more connections to teachers and school administrators you know in your jurisdiction. Email Peter Donaldson with questions, insights, or new connections: peter@sustainabilityambassadors.org
Changing Ourselves through Salmon Habitat Restoration: An Intergenerational, Interracial Watershed Enhancement Project
Continuing its efforts at salmon habitat restoration on the Little Soos Creek, the Institute for Community Leadership trains high school students who then teach local elementary school students about the importance of water quality. Students of all ages learn to measure water quality using basic scientific measurements such as pH value, temperature, and width and height of the stream. High school students experience personal transformation through leadership and teaching, while elementary school students learn the importance of hands-on work in the creek to appreciate their outdoor environment.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Program Director, Dr. Nyla Rosen, at Nyla@icleadership.org or 253-508-3250.
Grant Announcements
2024 Flood Reduction Grants
On April 8, the King County Flood Control District will open its call for $12M in grant funding for projects that reduce the impact of flooding. These grants are for small and medium local flood reduction projects that address existing or potential flooding. Eligible applicants include homeowner associations, schools, non-profits, tribes, cities and towns, and King County agencies. Join the informational session April 23, 2-3:30 p.m. Applications are due May 31. Learn more and apply. Translated information will be included soon.
The Habitat and Stormwater Strategic Initiative Leads (SIL) Accepting Grant Proposals
The SIL RFP competition schedule is available on the SIL RFP webpage and specific competition information will be listed on the Habitat RFP or Stormwater RFP webpages. The Department of Commerce Salmon Recovery Grant Program will have information when available on the integrated watershed and stormwater planning webpage. Follow the SIL RFP webpage or sign-up on the SIL blog to learn about additional competitions in 2024.
Application Period now Open for Funding Opportunity to Explore Stormwater BMP Effectiveness
The grant solicitation with eligibility and proposal requirements, along with the application materials, can be found on the Stormwater SIL Funding Opportunities webpage. Applications will be accepted between March 20 and May 22.
For questions about this funding opportunity please contact the solicitation coordinator, Dustin Bilhimer (dustin.bilhimer@ecy.wa.gov). A virtual pre-application webinar will be held on March 27 from 2-3pm, and there will be virtual technical assistance webinars in April and May. Details and registration information for these virtual meetings will be posted on the Stormwater SIL Funding webpage.
America the Beautiful Challenge – Pre-proposals due April 4th
America the Beautiful Challenge 2024 Request for Proposals is now open. Pre-proposals are due Thursday, April 4. The applicant webinar was hosted on Thursday, February 29, view the recording.
|
