TIC 2017-10-24 Item 2C - Grant Application - Department of Ecology Grant for Storm Water Quality Retrofit Program

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City of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Transportation & Infrastructure Committee FROM: Robin Tischmak, Acting Public Works Director P12- BY: Mike Perfetti, Habitat Project Manager CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: October 20, 2017 SUBJECT: Storm Water Quality Retrofit Project Project No. 91241202 Department of Ecology Grant Application ISSUE Authorize the submittal of a grant application to the Washington State Department of Ecology's (DOE) Water Quality Combined Financial Assistance 2019 grant program, to fund water quality testing at Tukwila's 'Big 3' creeks; Riverton, Southgate, and Gilliam. BACKGROUND Department of Ecology seeks applications for its Water Quality Combined Financial Assistance Program for the 2019 cycle. DOE's Water Quality Program administers four main funding programs under integrated annual funding cycles. DOE awards grants and loans on a competitive basis to eligible public bodies for high priority water quality projects throughout the state. DISCUSSION Recent experience with the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) review panel has brought to light their hesitancy to fund salmon recovery projects where there is a perception that the project will expose salmon to dangerous levels of polluted stormwater. Currently, there are two fish barrier removal projects in the 2017 CIP that are intended to give rearing (and potentially spawning) access to Riverton and Gilliam creeks within the City. While the Riverton Creek Flapgate Removal Project has received some SRFB funding, and is being considered by them for further funding, the reviewers continue to express concern about the quality of habitat that is being provided due to stormwater contributions into these creek systems. DOE's 2019 grant will be used to collect and analyze one -years' worth of data at three locations within each creek (nine locations total). The goal of this study is to identify water quality deficiencies to target treatment projects in the future, which will improve overall water quality, and leverage the City's ability to acquire salmon restoration grant funds for future projects in these creeks. The requested grant funds would be used to retain a water quality science firm. FINANCIAL IMPACT If the City is awarded the 2019 grant request and qualifies as a Hardship applicant, it will be required to match 15% of the $95,000 grant application, which would be $14,250. These funds would be used primarily to support City staff in project management and will be drawn from the Storm Water Quality Retrofit Program that has a $110,000 surface water budget in 2019. RECOMMENDATION Transportation & Infrastructure Committee approval to submit a grant application to Washington State Department of Ecology's Water Quality Combined Financial Assistance 2019 grant program. Attachment: page 97.2017 CIP ItPWSloretPW CommonStPW EngtPROJECTSW DR PrajectstOterm Water Oualiry Retrofit (91241202)llnto Merno_DOE 2019_grant_102017.docx 17