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Subjects › Environment › ESA Salmon › Bellevue's Endangered Species Act Strategy
Bellevue's Endangered Species Act Strategy

Bellevue's Endangered Species Act Strategy

WHAT IS IT?

  • It is a watershed-based strategy. Details of how it compares to Tri-County are in the attached matrix.

  • Generally, it includes:

      - Continued participation in watershed planning (WRIA 8) and Tri-County
      - Some participation in regional studies and monitoring
      - Increased permit submittal requirements through fish checklist and SEPA
      - Minor regulatory modifications
      - Council contingency fund to enable policy direction modifications as desired

  • Bellevue will still have to respond to the following initiatives within the next 2 years:

      - New shoreline regulations
      - Ecology stormwater technical manual update
      - Clean Water Act Phase II NPDES permit

WHY THE WATERSHED OPTION AT THIS TIME?

  • Tri-County 4(d) proposal still has undefined substantive elements as well as unknown short and long term capital funding commitments. No blank check. NMFS has not set any objectives or goals for salmon recovery in the region.

  • Bellevue already meets many of the Tri-County program requirements.

  • Provides flexibility to adapt programs for Bellevue's environment and allows for an opportunity to phase in programs over time as appropriate for Bellevue.

  • Allows time to assess implications of living under the federal rule (as of January 8, 2001).

  • Allows time to assess ESA implications of other initiatives that Bellevue must respond to, which gives Bellevue time to develop a coordinated strategy.

  • Enables Bellevue to continue to be an active participant and leader at WRIA 8 and at Tri-County.

  • Enables Bellevue to evaluate its obligations and funding needs identified in watershed planning efforts.