Watershed Restoration

The 95,000-acre Cedar River Municipal Watershed is set aside as an ecological reserve. While approximately 14,000 acres of the watershed are considered old-growth, much of the watershed was used for commercial timber harvest. The main objective of watershed restoration under the HCP is to accelerate the development of old-growth forest conditions. Under the ecosystem-based HCP, watershed restoration is designed to improve streamside vegetation, reduce the impact of road crossings, and improve forest habitat diversity in the former "tree farms." This work can transition a dark, homogenous forest towards one with light penetrating to the forest floor, improving growth and diversity. This type of forest provides habitat for more at-risk species. Greater forest complexity improves habitat types available for forest-dependent species such as the northern-spotted owl and marbled murrelet, and improves forest resiliency for pests and diseases.

 

Public Utilities

Andrew Lee, General Manager and CEO
Address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34018, Seattle, WA, 98124-5177
Phone: (206) 684-3000
SPUCustomerService@seattle.gov

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Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is comprised of three major direct-service providing utilities: the Water Utility, the Drainage and Wastewater Utility, and the Solid Waste Utility.