Council News Release

Councilmember Richard Conlin

CONLIN ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT ON JOINT TRAINING FIRE FACILITY
Councilmember brokers pact between the City and environmental groups over wetlands restoration in South Park area watersheds

SEATTLE – After months of negotiations, Councilmember Richard Conlin, chair of the Environment, Emergency Management, and Utilities Committee, announced an agreement between the City and environmental groups over the restoration of wetlands and creeks around the City’s new Joint Training Facility in White Center. Councilmember Conlin said, “I am pleased that all parties at the table have agreed on a solution. The City must walk its environmental talk when it comes to our wetlands, creeks, and streams.”

The agreement states that Seattle Public Utilities will consider ideas to restore or enhance Hamm Creek, Lost Fork/Durham Creek, Marra Farms, and watersheds in their vicinity, including ideas submitted by the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition (DRCC) and other community entities, and will identify projects that have environmental benefits and can be done within a budget of approximately $300-$500K. The City Council is expected to appropriate $400,000 for such work, today, Monday, November 5 at its 2:00 pm Full Council meeting. The projects could include work on City properties in these watersheds. The agreed-upon work could require regulatory agency approval, however. In any scenario, the final proposal shall not interfere with existing buildings, facilities and/or operation of the City’s Joint Training Facility.

All parties will recognize both the work the City has done in meeting the requirements of the previous Settlement agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City about the Joint Training Facility’s site. In addition, all parties acknowledge the value both the City and the DRCC places on watersheds in this vicinity, and commit to working together to find one or more projects that will restore and enhance these watersheds. Councilmember Conlin said, “Creeks and wetlands are a vital part of our urban ecology. The City should always try to protect and enhance their health. I am very pleased we were able to reach an understanding between the environmental community and the City to move forward together toward such goals.”

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City Council