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WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Project and Program Updates
Lake Washington Boulevard Shoreline Restoration Project Status March 2024
City of Seattle Parks and Recreation Green Seattle Partnership program was recently awarded a WRIA 8 Project Innovation and Community Grant to 1) evaluate shallow-water rearing and refuge habitat, 2) look for opportunities to remove or reduce impact of shoreline armoring, and 3) restore riparian vegetation in Lake Washington in areas south of I-90. This work will focus on restoration project planning and development, emphasizing community collaboration. The project will focus on juvenile Chinook habitat opportunities between Mt. Baker Beach and Seward Park, aiming to establish design alternatives for up to three sites. The approach includes updating shoreline inventory, assessing habitat, and comprehensively addressing erosion and armored areas.
Photo shows an example of existing eroded bank conditions along Lake Washington shoreline, Andrews Bay South at Dawson St South and Lake Washington Boulevard.
Community Action Training School
Join Mid Sound for their upcoming Community Action Training School - a free, all ages, program that introduces participants to community members, non-profit organizations, and local and Tribal governments working on restoration projects throughout the watershed. Applications will be accepted now through April 30th.
No prior experience or background in course topics necessary. The 7 classroom sessions and 4 field experiences run May through August, with a symposium and graduation taking place September 21st. Learn more.
CATS is funded by the King County Flood Control District and WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council, as well as a generous donation by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.
King County Study Shows Promising Results for a New Stormwater Treatment Option in Design Work that can Reduce Fish Mortality
Current King County research shows promising results in tests of a soil mix of sand, coconut fiber, and wood ash for removing a chemical carried in stormwater that is lethal to coho salmon.
The soil, called High Performance Bioretention Soil Mix, effectively removes the chemical known as 6PPD-q found in tire dust that has been linked to pre-spawn mortality in coho salmon, as recently identified by University of Washington and Washington State University researchers.
Read more about the results.
King Conservation District Rate Renewal open for Public Comment
King Conservation District (KCD) provides education, technical assistance, and financial help to people stewarding the natural resources of King County. KCD has been a long-trusted partner in assisting people and cities managing streams, forests, and agricultural lands to improve water quality and soil health, increase tree canopy, reduce wildfire risk, and bolster local food systems. The funding for this work comes from a rates and charges agreement with King County that ends in 2024.
KCD is holding two listening sessions in May and a KCD Board hearing in June to get input on our program of work and rate renewal. View the website to learn more, participate in a listening session, or contribute public comment.
City of Edmonds Announces $135k Grant Award for Edmonds Marsh Restoration Efforts
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the City of Edmonds a $135,000 grant for studies and planning regarding soil contamination, flood risk, and the future of the marsh estuary. A proposal drafted by citizen volunteers from the Edmonds Marsh Estuary Advocates was edited by the Edmonds Public Works and Utilities and Parks, Recreation and Human Services Departments. The Public Works Department submitted the application. One of only 109 successful applications throughout the United States, view the full project proposal.
The Edmonds Marsh Estuary restoration project closely matches the Fund goals: it will add rare estuary habitat to Puget Sound and decrease flood risks to the city of Edmonds. The grant will address questions about flood elevation associated with restoration alternatives, the potential impact of contaminated soils, and will help define a process for community marsh restoration planning. The grant is an important step towards a long-held dream: a restored, healthy Edmonds marsh.
Port Quendall Superfund Cleanup Site
The Port Quendall Property, designated by the EPA as a Superfund Cleanup site, is located on the south eastern shore of Lake Washington, just south of the Seahawks headquarters. The site was added to the Superfund National Priorities list in 2006 by the EPA and encompasses about 22 land acres, about 29 submerged acres, with about 1,500’ of shoreline. Studies found a thick liquid of contaminants leach out from the soil into the groundwater and into nearby lake sediments, where people and aquatic life can be exposed to it.
In July of 2020 the EPA worked with data from potentially Responsible Parties (PRP) to issue a final clean up plan, known as the Record Of Decision (ROD). Cleanup for the upland portion includes “smoldering combustion, in-situ solidification, and soil capping” with an estimated cost of approximately $66 million. In-water cleanup includes “dredging, an engineered sand cap, and enhanced natural recovery” at approximately $40 million. It is the understanding that these costs will be recouped from Responsible Parties which include, BNSF Railway Company; Puget Sound Energy, Inc.; Altino Properties, Inc.; J.H.Baxter [&] Co; and Lake Washington East, LLC. In addition to a treatability study submitted to the EPA in February 2024 by the responsible parties, it is important for Tribes to be consulted and inform the “enhanced natural recovery” the EPA promises. Though it has been severely compromised, this site is among the last natural habitats along the shore of Lake Washington, essential to support critically endangered salmon runs here. Read more about this site.
The City of Mukilteo is currently recruiting for Surface Water Technician
View the website for the full posting and more information.
Salmon in the News
Community celebrates improvements to Be’er Sheva Park in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood, including upcoming lakeshore and in-water habitat restoration for salmon.
Read the full Seattle Times article.
Read the full KUOW Radio article.
Ominous Catches During Lake Washington Gillnetting.
Read the full article.
100,000 Salmon Spill off a Truck in Oregon. Most Land in a Creek and Live.
Read the full article.
Upcoming Events
Earth Day Volunteer Event on the Sammamish River
Celebrate Earth Day with Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group! Join us on Saturday, April 20th from 10AM - 1PM in Woodinville to help restore salmon habitat on the Sammamish River. We will spend the day clearing invasive weeds and planting native trees and shrubs along the river’s shoreline. Register here to learn about your local environment, actions you can take for its protection, and become a stewardship leader in your community!
This project is funded by King County Flood Control District and WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council, in partnership with King County Parks Volunteer Program.
Celebrate Earth Day at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
All are invited to join Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH) to celebrate Earth Day weekend with our juvenile Chinook salmon before they are released in May to begin their miraculous journey.
- Saturday, April 20, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
View the website to learn more! If you are interested in volunteering for this event, register here.
Kokanee Education Day 2024
This event is designed to immerse students in the fascinating world of kokanee, from their life cycle to the conservation challenges they face, and the critical recovery efforts underway. Through a series of interactive stations, including salmon dissection, water quality impact studies, river simulations, and habitat restoration projects, we aim to foster a sense of stewardship and encourage proactive conservation efforts within the Lake Sammamish watershed. This unique opportunity allows volunteers like you to play a vital role in facilitating a day filled with interactive and educational activities centered around the kokanee salmon. We invite you to mark your calendars, dive deeper into the volunteer information below, and join us in making a difference.
- Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. at Confluence Park, 655 Rainier Blvd N, Issaquah, WA 98027
Interested in volunteering or seeking more details? Please reach out to Alix Lee-Tigner at Trout Unlimited via email at alix.lee-tigner@tu.org or phone at 406-868-1902
Into the Weeds – King County Weed Management Webinar Series
Join the King County Noxious Weed Control Program for our annual online weedy workshop series. Each day has its own agenda with 7 new topics & speakers. Speakers will share current and novel perspectives on noxious weed identification & management, pesticides & the environment, climate impacts on invasive ecology, plant nurseries as a vector for invasive plants, and more! WA and OR licensed pesticide applicators can earn up to 8 WSDA/ODA continuing education credits! (4 per day, or 1 per every hour of verified live attendance).
Please register separately for each day:
Registrants will get a link to the recording following the event. Contact the team at noxious.weeds@kingcounty.gov with questions or concerns.
City of Mukilteo is hosting Touch-A-Truck 2024
A rain barrel installation workshop will be held at City of Mukilteo’s Touch-A-Truck. Rain barrels purchased during pre-sale will also be available for pick up at this event. View the website for more information.
Event Details:
- June 29, 2024 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Lighthouse Park.
Funding Opportunities
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.
WA Department of Commerce has Funding for Salmon Planning
Grants are available to cities and counties, fully and partially planned under the Growth Management Act and federally recognized tribes. We encourage applications that seek to protect and restore salmon habitat with long-range planning objectives. Learn more.
Pre-Application Virtual Workshop
Commerce is hosting a pre-application workshop to provide more information about this grant opportunity and how to apply. You must register to attend, but attendance is not required.
- Pre-application workshop: 3:00-4:00 p.m. Thursday, April 18th. Register here.
Application Information
Puget Sound Recovery Acceleration Funding Tool
For more information about national, state, and regional funding opportunities for Puget Sound recovery, check out the Puget Sound Recovery Acceleration Funding Tool (Puget Sound RAFT) managed and updated regularly by Puget Sound Partnership.
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