What's New
Rock the Green Clean March 28
The Middle Green River Coalition and Clean the Green invite you to show your support for the river and enjoy good food and music in Enumclaw on Sunday, March 28.
This fundraiser is followed by the annual raft- and foot-based Green River Cleanup on Saturday, May 1.
Summary of 2009 Accomplishments by WRIA 9 Partners Available
On March 2, a summary of accomplishments of WRIA 9 partners in 2009 was released. The summary lists projects, grants, programs, and other activities that are helping to "make our watershed fit for a king" as laid out in the 2005 Salmon Habitat Plan.
Download the two-page flier of 2009 accomplishments (Adobe Acrobat).
Download the two-page flier of 2008 accomplishments (Adobe Acrobat).
North Wind's Weir Estuary Restoration Project Construction Completed; Volunteers Needed for April Fence Building and Planting
Construction on the North Wind's Weir estuary restoration in Tukwila was completed in mid-December 2009.
On February 6 and 27, 200 volunteers planted hundreds of trees and shrubs.
This project will provide valuable rearing habitat for salmon migrating downstream.
Sign up for the April 3 or April 17 volunteer projects.
View the KING 5 news story on North Wind's Weir restoration from December 17.
Three Habitat Restoration Projects Receive $1.5 Million from State
On December 11, the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board issued its 10th round of grants for salmon habitat projects across the state.
Three projects in WRIA 9 received a total of over $1.5 million:
Moving the Fenster Levee and Restoring the Floodplain on the Green River in Auburn
The City of Auburn will use a $304,103 grant to set back the Fenster levee to restore habitat in the Green River and its floodplain. This project will complete years of work by Auburn and King County to set back or completely remove all levees within a 2-mile stretch of high quality habitat. Combined with the work previously done, this final project reconnects the floodplain to the river, providing off-channel habitat for large numbers of juvenile salmon and steelhead. After construction of the levee setback, the site will be replanted and monitored by the Veteran's Conservation Corps in partnership with the city. In aggregate, these projects also increase storage of floodwaters, reducing the risk of flooding downstream. Auburn will contribute $53,665 from a grant and cash. (Project #09-1429)Restoring the Northern Beach at Seahurst Park in Burien
The Burien Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department will use a $750,000 grant to return the northern portion of the park and shoreline to a restored, more accessible, and more natural condition. This project will complement previous restoration of the south beach at the park. Crews will remove a seawall, rock riprap, groins, paving and fill. Since being armored in the 1970s, beach elevations in Seahurst Park have dropped 3 to 4 feet due to wave scouring and the disconnection of the beach from sources of sediment. The changes in the beach have significantly degraded the quality of habitat for salmon and the organisms they depend on, particularly forage fish. Burien will contribute $133,000 from a federal grant and the Army Corps of Engineers will contribute $1,800,000 through the American Recovery Reinvestment Act. (Project #09-1415)Restoring Mill Creek Mouth on the Green River in Kent
The City of Kent will use a $500,000 grant to create a channel off the Green River with benches, large woody materials, spawning gravels, and riverbank plantings adjacent to the mouth of lower Mill Creek. The channel will provide much-needed summer rearing habitat and refuge from high winter flows for salmon. This project also will provide incremental storage for floodwaters, helping to reduce flood risk downstream. Kent will contribute $88,235 and the Army Corps of Engineers will contribute $2,200,000 through the American Recovery Reinvestment Act. (Project #09-1418)
More information about SRFB grants in WRIA 9
"News Fit for a King" Archived Newsletters
Check out newsletters on efforts by watershed partners to improve the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed for people and fish.
Video on Bulkheads and the Marine Nearshore for Planners and Shoreline Property Owners
Planners and shoreline property owners should be aware of the latest information on the impact of bulkheads on the marine nearshore. A 10-minute video produced in September 2008 provides an overview.
This video was produced by the WRIA 9 Forum of local governments with financial support from the King Conservation District and the Puget Sound Partnership.
Watch the video on bulkheads and the nearshore (Windows Media file).
Volunteering for the Watershed
There are volunteer opportunities where you can get dirty for a good cause!