For the Reporter

Eleven projects aimed at improving water quality, protecting and restoring habitat, and supporting salmon recovery efforts in Water Resource Inventory Area 9 (WRIA 9) – which encompasses the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound watershed received grant funding from the King County Flood Control District this week.

“I am thrilled the district is able to play a pivotal role in helping protect our local habitats,” said Flood Control District Chair Reagan Dunn. “These projects are critically important to the overall health of our region’s watersheds and salmon recovery efforts.”

“WRIA 9 does important work in South King County,” said Flood District Supervisor Dave Upthegrove. “This funding will help restore and protect the environment in our community.”

The Flood District board of supervisors approved $1.5 million in Cooperative Watershed Management Grant funding for WRIA 9 to boost the clean water and salmon recovery efforts of local organizations.

One such approved project is the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Green River Smolt Trap. This funding will contribute towards the operation of the Green River screw trap to help estimate the number of naturally produced Puget Sound Chinook originating in this river system as part of a long term monitoring effort.

The grants, which also leveraged an additional $7.2 million for WRIA 9, help it carry out WRIA 9 salmon conservation projects for Endangered Species Act-listed species according to annual priorities set by the WRIA Forum.

In the Cooperative Watershed Management Grant Program, projects must address high priority habitats or watershed processes that significantly influence productivity in each basin. To ensure high quality projects, only those that have been scientifically vetted and ranked competitively by their respective WRIA Forum are candidates for funding. Cities, towns, special districts, public schools, King County, federally recognized tribes and non-profits are eligible to apply for the grants.

Visit KingCountyFloodControl.org to view a list of the eleven WRIA 9 projects approved for funding.