Snohomish County Budget Initiatives for Salmon Restoration

Excerpt from the Snohomish County Executive's 1999 Budget Address

As I mentioned in last year’s budget address, I have become increasingly concerned about the stewardship of our natural environment. I am not alone in this concern. Earlier this year, the federal government began the process of investigating whether Chinook salmon should be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

We can view this proposed federal action in one of two ways. First, as unwanted governmental intrusion into local affairs; or second, as a wake up call that we need to be more aggressive in our efforts to maintain a quality natural environment. Either way, the potential effects of an Endangered Species listing upon all sectors of our community are significant and cannot be ignored. This recommended budget includes the following funding initiatives:

• A multi-departmental effort to develop regional and local strategies for increasing the stocks of Puget Sound’s wild salmon. With the staffing increases recently approved by the Council, there will be 24 FTEs dedicated to ESA response in 1999. This is a combination of new FTEs and re-focused existing FTEs, funded primarily outside of the General Fund.

• Capital funding for specific projects that will improve stream and river habitat.

• Parks will make important contributions through its acquisition of conservation easements adjacent to North Creek and in the Snohomish River Estuary.

• Allocation of $500,000 of Real Estate Excise Tax dollars toward habitat acquisition and conservation.

• Find and leverage federal and state funds to assist in our response to the proposed listing.

Just one week ago, the County began implementing two important ordinances to reduce storm water run-off and soil erosion from new development -- an important step in preserving our salmon. This budget includes the first full year of funding for the new drainage and grading codes, as well as our water pollution control ordinance, adopted earlier this spring.

It also includes funding for a new program in the Surface Water Management division called "Enhanced Infrastructure Planning." This program identifies several key areas in the county where detailed drainage master plans need to be completed in order to deal with long standing drainage issues. The areas to be studied include: Marysville/Arlington Urban Growth Area, south county hot spots, including the area east of Mill Creek, and Little Bear/Bear Creek.

Snohomish County still has Chinook salmon in many of our streams and rivers. We must not let the salmon disappear on our watch. Now is the time to take the necessary steps to ensure their survival and return to healthy stocks, while preserving local control of our own destiny. The various measures I have mentioned are all part of our strategy for the future of salmon in our county and in this region. I am convinced that a vibrant, healthy human community is compatible with a healthy natural environment, if we just take the right steps.

Related MRSC Resources
MRSC Index – Fish and wildlife conservation, habitat conservation, biological assessment, habitat assessment, habitat restoration
MRSC Index – Endangered Species Act (ESA)
MRSC Index – Salmon, salmonids