CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Public Utilities; authorizing the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Public Utilities or designee to execute an interlocal agreement with King County, the City of Tukwila, and the Port of Seattle to cost-share a Duwamish Basin Steward staff position that will provide Basin Stewardship Services in the Duwamish Service area.
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WHEREAS, Seattle Public Utilities has participated in Chinook salmon recovery efforts in the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed ("WRIA 9") with 16 other local governments, including but not limited to King County, the City of Tukwila, and the Port of Seattle since 2001; and
WHEREAS, the Duwamish basin has its critical transitionary role for juvenile salmon adapting to salt water conditions, and has a mostly industrial land use, a history of contamination and ongoing clean-up efforts, diverse and historically marginalized communities; and unique challenges for habitat enhancement or creation because of extensive urbanization; and
WHEREAS, many jurisdictions and community organizations implement habitat related improvements in the Duwamish Basin, a point person to lead coordination and collaboration will leverage efforts to maximize the ecological and community benefits and help ensure that restoration opportunities are not missed or lost; and
WHEREAS, four other basin stewards serve the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed covering the Middle Green, Lower Green, Vashon/Maury Island and Miller/Walker Creek; and
WHEREAS, the Duwamish River basin constitutes the lowest eleven miles in the basin and does not have an existing stewardship program; and
WHEREAS, there is broad community support for a Duwamish Basin steward and it is advantageous to Seattle Public Utilities to cost-share this position and locate the position with the other Basin Stewards managed by King County; NOW, THER...
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