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TUKWILA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN <br />Earth Resources and Geolo is Hazards <br />The Citv_has mapped areas with steep_and unstable slopes,_including_ <br />active landslide areas and springs to ensure that there is adequate review of <br />slope stabilit if develo+ ment is ro,osed m these areas. In addition, there <br />are coal formations on the southwest side of Interurban Avenue South, <br />some of which have been mined and are defined as sensitive areas based <br />on City ofTukwila _M Abandoned Underground Coal Mine Hazard <br />Assessment, May 1990. <br />Water Quality <br />Although the City does not have ongoing monitoring programs periodic <br />studies have indicated that Tukwila's streams and the Green/Duwamish <br />River suffer from poor water quality_due to surface water runoff. Rain <br />events wash contaminants off of rooftops driveways„sidewalksyparking <br />lots, and roads into the watercourses. Runoff from these areas can <br />contribute to high temperatures in urban streams and can carry <br />contaminants into streams and wetlands. Manynewer developments have <br />flow control, and, wateruuality treatment facilities such_as sediment <br />removal and oil water separators that moderate the discharges that floww, <br />there are, still areas of Tukwila where runoff from <br />directly into streams but utt <br />impervious surfaces_ discharges directly to streams and the river with no <br />treatment.,_(See background repiort for more information on water quality.) <br />Riparian habitat_plays as valuable role in protectin stream water quality_„ <br />Adequately -sized and healthy riparian buffers help filter out avariety_of <br />pollutants„including substances that can lead to „the depletion of oxygen in_ <br />streams Riparian vegetation can also shade streams reducing water_ <br />temperatures However., most of Tukwila's streams have oor c ualit <br />narrow ri .arian areas. <br />Air Ouality <br />The Natural Environment <br />Tukwila lies in the air quality region made up of King, Kitsap, Pierce, and <br />Snohomish counties. Air quality is monitored and managed by the Puget, <br />Sound Clean Air Agent Through the efforts of the Clean Air Agency,. <br />all of King_County currently has good air ctualiry, except for_occasional <br />periods when air quality in our area is considered a risk to health, <br />particularly for members of the population with respiratory conditions. <br />Climate Change <br />The impacts of climate change in Tukwila could affect several aspects of <br />the natural environment as well as the provision of utilities to its citizens. <br />December <br />2013 <br />