Salmon Recovery and Habitat Restoration supported by Flood Control District grants

Published 3:10 pm Thursday, July 14, 2016

More than $4 million in grant funding aimed at improving water quality, protecting and restoring habitat, and supporting salmon recovery efforts in four King County watersheds was unanimously approved today by the King County Flood Control District.

“Restoring the critical habitats in each of King County’s four major watersheds is an investment in the future of our region’s ecosystems,” said Reagan Dunn, Chair of the Flood Control District. “These projects will bring us a step closer to preserving these natural areas and I look forward to seeing what they accomplish.”

One of the projects that received grant funding is the Lower Russel Road Levee Setback project in the City of Kent. This project replaces and upgrades 1.4 miles of existing levee with a new flood containment system and also improves habitat for fish and wildlife along the Green River.

“This project will help salmon thrive and improve flood protection for Kent residents and businesses,” said Flood Control District Vice Chair Dave Upthegrove. “This is a great example of finding ways to improve habitat and protect the economic engine that is the Kent Valley.”

“These grants support crucial habitat restoration along the Green River-Duwamish watershed,” said Marlla Mhoon, Covington City Councilmember, WIRA 9 Watershed Ecosystem Forum Co-Chair. “I am pleased that the King County Flood Control District has a continued balanced, dedication to supporting our region’s natural areas while seeking to protect residents from flooding.”

The action by the Flood Control District Board will boost the efforts of local organizations by providing Cooperative Watershed Management Grant funds in the following areas:

• $1.5 million for the Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed, known as Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8.
• $1.6 million for the Green/Duwamish Watershed (WRIA 9)
• $855,141 for the Snoqualmie Watershed (WRIA 7) [King County Part]
• $225,668 for the Puyallup/White Watershed (WRIA 10) [King County Part]

These grants help carry out King County-based WRIA salmon conservation projects for Endangered Species Act-listed species for each of the four WRIA according to annual priorities set by the WRIA Forums. The grants also help leverage additional funds. Total funding leveraged for the four WRIAs is more than $4.2 million.

WRIAs were created to restore watershed ecosystems for the purpose of recovering Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed salmon species in Puget Sound. The WRIAs are governed by “Watershed Forums” that are comprised of elected officials from jurisdictions within the respective WRIAs. The respective Forums propose the annual budget and identify what projects and programs may receive revenues. To ensure high quality projects, only those that have been scientifically vetted and ranked competitively by their respective WRIA Forum are candidates for funding.

In the Cooperative Watershed Management Grant Program, projects must address high priority habitats or watershed processes that significantly influence productivity in each basin.

King County’s Water and Land Resources Division in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks administers the grant allocation process with the Flood Control District executive committee overseeing project selections. Cities, towns, special districts, public schools, King County, federally recognized tribes and non-profits are eligible to apply for the grants.

Visit the Flood Control District website to view a list of the projects approved for funding.