Salmon Habitat Recovery
Local partners working together to protect and restore salmon habitat.
Puget Sound Chinook Salmon (also known as King Salmon) were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1999. In response to the ESA listing, the 17 local governments within the watershed signed an interlocal agreement to collectively support development, implementation, and adaptive management of a scienced-based salmon habitat recovery plan for the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound watershed (WRIA 9). The local government partners, along with non-governmental organizations, business interests, and state and federal partners serve as the lead entity (RCW 77.85.050) tasked with overseeing salmon habitat recovery across the watershed.
About the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA 9)
The Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed spans 575 square miles of diverse landscape, ranging from the industrial waterfront in Elliot Bay to preserved old growth forest in the upper watershed. The Green River Chinook salmon is one of twenty-two independent populations within Puget Sound. Though recent adult returns are a fraction of the historical population (estimated to be ~27,000), adult returns to the Green/Duwamish regularly are consistently within the top three among Puget Sound rivers. In addition to Chinook salmon, the Green/Duwamish River also supports ESA-listed steelhead, ESA-listed bull trout, coho salmon, chum salmon, and pink salmon.
WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Plan
The WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Plan serves as the blueprint for salmon habitat restoration across the watershed. Updated in 2021, the plan represents a renewed commitment to salmon recovery efforts in WRIA 9 and provides a science-based framework for identifying, prioritizing and implementing salmon recovery actions over the next 10-15 years. It refines recovery strategies based on new science and ensures resources will continue to be directed to where they provide the greatest benefit for Chinook salmon. Ongoing plan implementation supports more than just salmon recovery; it supports tribal treaty rights, community flood hazard reduction, water quality improvement, open space protection, and outdoor recreation.
Watershed News and Updates
Watch: 25 Years of Salmon RecoveryWRIA 9 2026 Legislative Priorities
We encourage partners to integrate these salmon recovery priorities into your local government or organization's own legislative agenda and priorities.