March 2016 Newsletter
Snoqualmie Watershed Forum
A watershed moment
Congratulate your community on the remarkable progress we have made to restore salmon habitat in the Snoqualmie Watershed and Snohomish Basin as we build on more than 15 years of collaboration. We have protected more than 800 acres of habitat and completed nearly 60 restoration projects, including major collaborative efforts like the Lower Tolt Floodplain Reconnection, Chinook Bend and the Upper Carlson Floodplain Restoration. The capacity of our partnership continues to grow with our new interlocal agreement and our expanded membership as we welcome the Tulalip Tribes and the Town of Skykomish to the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum. We will draw on the strength of all our partners as we continue to work toward salmon recovery through our challenges, including the likely effects of climate change on our region’s resources.
- Jason Walker, Snoqualmie Watershed Forum Chair
Photo by Ned Ahrens.
Study completed on flooding impacts from recent projects – learn more on March 22
Responding to community concerns that flooding in the lower Snoqualmie Valley has been getting worse, the King County Flood Control District hired a consultant to study the impacts of two recent flood reduction projects implemented above Snoqualmie Falls, one completed in 2004, the other in 2012. Findings show that the two projects have had a large upstream benefit to the City of Snoqualmie and much smaller downstream impacts. Details will be presented at a public meeting on Tuesday, March 22 from 6:30-8:30 at Tolt Middle School, 3740 Tolt Avenue in Carnation. A second phase of the study is in the works to identify other factors that could be contributing to increased flood flows in the lower Valley.
Public comments are due by April 8. Questions? Contact Clint Loper, Snoqualmie River Basin Supervisor at clint.loper@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-4757.
Funds available to bolster sustainable local food production
Pre-proposals are due April 14 to the KCD Regional Food System Grant Program for grants and strategic initiatives that bridge the gap between producers and consumers to make local food production environmentally and economically sustainable. In 2016, $650,000-$900,000 will be available for projects with demonstrated public benefits and a link to improving working lands in King County. Check out projects funded in 2015 (including several in the Snoqualmie Valley). The 2016 Request for Proposals will be released March 16, followed by a KCD Regional Food System Grant Orientation Workshop on March 17. For more information, visit www.kingcd.org or email regionalfoodgrant@kingcd.org.
Apply for farm pad construction assistance by March 31
Are you interested in reducing the risk of loss due to flooding? Are you considering building a farm pad or elevated structure to protect livestock and farm equipment during times of high water? Apply now for free technical assistance from the King County Flood Control District to build a farm pad this year. Support is available for building a new farm pad or modifying an existing barn or other farm structure. To download an application, visit the Farm Pad Program page. Applications are due by March 31.
Photo: BankSide Farm
Dig in to help protect salmon habitat on April 9!
Join Stewardship Partners, King County, Boeing Company and the Snoqualmie Tribe to celebrate Earth Day early by planting native plants at Fall City Community Park to improve habitat along the Snoqualmie River. The event runs from 10-2 with coffee, water, snacks, tools and gloves provided, as well as a briefing about the project. Dress in layers and wear work clothes and sturdy shoes for this family-friendly event. Get more information or sign up, or email Chris LaPointe at cl@stewardshippartners.org.
Key acreage acquired along Stossel Creek
Late last year, Seattle City Light acquired approximately 154 acres on Stossel Creek, an important coho and steelhead tributary to the Tolt River adjacent to other properties owned by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This acquisition is a key piece of the overall strategy by several partners --including DNR, King County, and the Tolt Fish Habitat Restoration Group -- to undertake restoration in the basin, including reconnecting wetland complexes to the creek and removing/reducing sediment input to Stossel Creek and the Tolt River.
Partners work to control knotweed along the Upper Snoqualmie River
The King County Noxious Weed Control Program and Snoqualmie Tribe Environment and Natural Resources are working together to control invasive knotweed on private and public lands in the floodplain of the Upper Snoqualmie River. Knotweed outcompetes native species and hinders forest regrowth, bank stabilization, fish habitat, and water quality. Funded by the Washington Department of Ecology’s National Estuary Program, the project will provide knotweed control as well as riparian planting with native trees to stabilize banks, add large woody debris, and improve water quality. To learn more, or get help with riparian weed control or restoration planting, contact justin.bush@kingcounty.gov.
Talk to King Conservation District for help with your farm drainage project
King Conservation District (KCD) is entering the second year of its farm drainage program! The program can help with drain tile replacement, comprehensive mapping and analysis, ditch maintenance and culvert replacement. In 2015, the King Conservation District replaced a failed culvert on a Valley farm access road with the precast concrete bridge shown here. For 2016 projects, KCD staff will work with the drainage committee of the new Watershed Improvement District. For more information on culvert replacement and other drainage construction support, contact your District conservation planner at 425-282-1897 and ask about our Landowner Incentive Program, or visit the King Conservation District website.
Be “firewise” in the garden this spring
If your home is in the woods, sunny spring days are a great time to reduce wildfire risk. Remember: winds can carry embers more than a mile from the site of a wildfire. Clear dead leaves and needles from your roof, rake up dead leaves on the ground, and prune back woody plants that touch your house. See the King County Forestry Program website for more firewise tips and to get FREE technical assistance. King County’s Firewise Program is conducted in cooperation with the national Firewise Communities/USA program and the Washington Department of Natural Resources.
Fabulous watershed posters available FREE!
Last but not least, remember that our beautiful “From Mt. Si to Wild Sky” watershed posters – featuring the photography of talented Valley residents – are available free from polly.freeman@kingcounty.gov or by calling Polly at 206-477-3724.
The Snoqualmie Watershed Forum works to protect and restore the health of the SF Skykomish and Snoqualmie Watersheds in harmony with the cultural and community needs of the Valley.
If you would like to be added or removed from the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum mailing list, or if you would like to submit an item for inclusion in the next Snoqualmie Watershed Forum e-newsletter, please contact Maureen Dahlstrom.
Funding for this publication is provided by King County Flood Control District.