Cascade Water Alliance, whose members include Covington Water District, has reached an agreement with two Indian tribes on environmental issues involving plans for Lake Tapps to become a regional water source.
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians have approved provisionsn for protecting fish, habitat, water supply and recreation in the White River and Lake Tapps. The agreement was more than four years in the making, officials said.
According to Cascade, water flows to the lake will improve habitat for fisheries in the White River and ensure lake water levels for recreation.
Cascade, a consortium of eight municipalities and water districts serving 350,000 residents and 22,000 businesses, purchased Lake Tapps from Puget Sound Energy this year. Plans call for the lake becoming a regional water source in the mid-2020s.