WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council approves 2022 grant funding recommendations
On May 19th, the WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council approved over $5.7 million in grant funding to key habitat restoration projects, priority monitoring and assessment activities, and impactful education and outreach programs – collectively an impressive investment in salmon recovery work being done around the watershed! State and federal grant funding for WRIA 8’s annual grant rounds is provided through the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board and Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration programs, and local funding is provided by the King County Flood Control District through the Cooperative Watershed Management program. WRIA 8 received a record number of proposals, totaling more than $11.6 million in funding requests, indicating there continues to be significant funding need for salmon recovery efforts. WRIA 8 was able to conduct in-person site visits for the first time since 2019 for some proposed habitat projects and also heard virtual proposal presentations. The recommendations include investments in projects on the Cedar River, Bear Creek, Lake Washington shoreline, Issaquah Creek, Sammamish River, and Evans Creek. WRIA 8’s grant funding recommendations also represent a stronger emphasis on including principles of equity, environmental justice, and community engagement.
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Identifying racial inequities in the U.S. aquatic food system
In research and ecological and policy discussions on the aquatic food production system, the equity of benefits and impacts is not an aspect that’s often discussed. A recent blog post by Jessi Florendo in the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs highlights the racial inequities in the system to focus on the need for change in labor practices, food justice, and recognizing how racism has influenced decisions influencing species conservation.
Read the full blog post.
Proposal to increase Conservation Futures Levy to accelerate open space and natural lands preservation
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In late May, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced a proposal to increase the Conservation Futures levy to preserve the last, best 65,000 acres of urban greenspace, forests, farmland, trails, river corridors, and natural areas in King County, including key salmon habitat priorities. If approved by the County Council, the proposal would be put to voters on the November ballot. The proposal would return the Conservation Futures levy rate to the original level approved by voters 40 years ago (6.25 cents per $1,000 assessed value) and would cost a median homeowner about an additional $22 a year. The Conservation Futures program, established by the state legislature in 1971, allows counties the authority to levy taxes to protect open space and natural lands, and was intended to help in conserving salmon. King County and various other entities often use Conservation Futures funding to match state and federal salmon recovery grant funds to protect priority salmon habitat.
For more information, see the following articles:
Climate change stresses sewer systems in King County
Seattle’s wet weather may be getting wetter, putting pressure on stormwater and wastewater facilities. High rain events can cause an overwhelmed system of pipes carrying wastewater to overflow, sending sewage and untreated stormwater into nearby water bodies. As the frequency and intensity of storms is expected to increase with climate change, the City of Seattle and King County are working together to address priority "combined sewer overflow" areas. In particular, a project to expand sewer infrastructure in the Lake Washington Ship Canal seeks to reduce the number of toxic spills, helping lower costs and protect water quality in Lake Union, the Ship Canal, and Salmon Bay.
Read the full article.
Film released highlighting juvenile salmon outmigration
In celebration of World Fish Migration Day, the Salmon Watersheds Lab at Simon Fraser University and Freshwaters Illustrated recently released a film highlighting the epic "hidden" migration of juvenile salmon from their home rivers and streams to the ocean.
Watch the film.
Salmon in the news
Below are links to several recent news stories involving salmon:
Removing Lower Snake River dams offers best chance for salmon recovery at steep price, report says - Seattle Times
Tribes holding out hope of salmon recovery on the upper Columbia River - The Bulletin
Can We Have Too Much Pink Salmon? - The Tyee
Announcements and habitat project updates
Funding Opportunity: NOAA Fisheries releases notice of federal funding opportunity for fish passage barrier removal under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law This "once-in-a-generation" funding opportunity is intended to significantly expand efforts to remedy fish passage barriers and restore fish access to habitat. Up to $77 million in funding is available between two funding pathways:
June is Orca Action Month! The Orca Salmon Alliance and partners across the Puget Sound and Pacific Northwest are hosting volunteer opportunities and a variety of activities to restore habitat and build awareness of the plight of the Southern Resident Killer Whales and the salmon they depend on. Check out the events!
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Image from the
Orca Salmon Alliance and artwork by Katie Jones
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"Walk on the Wild Side" at the Northwest Stream Center
The Adopt A Stream Foundation invites you to go on a self-guided tour of the Northwest Stream Center located in Snohomish County’s McCollum Park. The "Nature Walk" tours are half a mile long and happen Tuesday through Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. The tour starts at the Northwest Stream Center and takes you past a Trout Stream Exhibit with viewing windows and onto an elevated walkway that winds through 25 acres of forests and wetlands. Admissions: Adults $7, Seniors $6, Students $5, EBT Card holders $3, Kids 5 and under Free. Make a reservation or call the Adopt A Stream Foundation at 425-316-8592.
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Bear Creek Little Bit Reach Restoration Project going to construction
King County will initiate construction on the Bear Creek Little Bit Reach Restoration Project in July. This project will enhance fish habitat on approximately 650 linear feet of Bear Creek adjacent to previous restoration/enhancement projects. The goal of this project is to increase the volume and availability of off-channel habitat for juvenile salmonids and to increase overall channel complexity and habitat quality. Placement of large in channel wood, and side channel excavation is expected to take approximately five weeks in July and August of 2022. Native vegetation planting is scheduled to begin in fall of 2022 and be completed in early 2023.
Rock Creek fish passage barrier removal and habitat restoration
The City of Kent is replacing undersized culverts on Rock Creek at Summit Landsburg Road, just upstream of the confluence with the Cedar River. Three 36-inch culverts are being replaced with a bridge crossing, which will be completed this fall. The removal of the existing perched culverts will eliminate a partial barrier to fish passage and improve access for migrating salmon to the upper reaches of Rock Creek. Additionally, the restoration of the stream bed under the new bridge will allow Rock Creek to have continuous habitat for the benefit of the various fish species that inhabit it. Wood for habitat is being installed through the project area as well. The bridge is the final capital project included in the City of Kent Clark Spring Water Supply Habitat Conservation Plan remaining to be completed, which included other habitat improvements in lower and upper Rock Creek, as well as property acquisitions for protection of the creek and its buffers.
Here is a drawing of the new creek opening:
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