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Home My WebLink AboutTIS 2021-07-12 Item 2B - Resolution - Ratify 2021 Update to Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA 9) Salmon Habitat Plan10 Acta Ekber, M ayor 1b uhllc 1°l� p o nekarrl/ Mda l r/City coot INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee FROM: Had Ponnekanti, Public Works Director/City Engineer BY: Mike Perfetti, Habitat Project Manager CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: July 9, 2021 SUBJECT: Surface Water Fund — WRIA 9 Watershed Planning 2021-2026 Project No. 91641205 Resolution to Adopt the WRIA 9 2021 Update to the Salmon Habitat Plan ISSUE Authorize a resolution ratifying the 2021 Update to the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA 9) Salmon Habitat Plan: Making Our Watershed Fit for A King. BACKGROUND In 2004, The City of Tukwila entered an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with 15 other watershed jurisdictions. The WRIA 9 ILA was established to draft a habitat recovery plan to guide local jurisdictions in the recovery of threatened Puget Sound Chinook salmon. The initial plan was adopted by the City of Tukwila via Resolution 1595 in 2005. Since then, the City has been working to implement the plan, including the completion of the Duwamish Gardens Habitat Restoration Project, and is in the midst of construction for the Riverton Creek Flapgate Removal Project. Two other projects identified in the original habitat plan — Gilliam Creek Fish Barrier Removal Project and the Nesen Side Channel project - are in the planning and design stages. These projects not only help to recover struggling salmon and other fish species, but provide public open space, water access, recreational and educational benefits to Tukwila residents. DISCUSSION The Salmon Habitat Plan Update represents the next chapter of salmon recovery efforts in watershed. It provides a science - based framework for identifying, prioritizing, and implementing salmon recovery actions over the next 10-15 years. The Plan Update integrates over a decade of new science and monitoring; provides updated habitat goals; outlines refined recovery strategies and embedded policies and programs; updates the capital projects list; and outlines a monitoring and adaptive framework for tracking implementation and making strategic adjustments. The plan does not obligate jurisdictions to complete any particular project or program, but rather is intended as a guidance document for use in habitat restoration efforts and in relevant City policy and code updates. FISCAL IMPACT None. RECOMMENDATION The Committee is asked to make a recommendation on the draft resolution for discussion at the July 26, 2021, Committee of the Whole Meeting. Attachment: Draft Resolution Resolution 1595 https://tukwilawa.sharepoint.com/sites/publicworks/engineering/PW Drop Box/01 TIC Agenda/2021 Agenda Items/TIC 07-12-21/a. WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Plan 2021 Update/Info Memo_VVRIA 9 Habitat Plan Resolution Adoption_20210709.docx 1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, RATIFYING THE 2021 UPDATE TO THE GREEN/DUWAMISH AND CENTRAL PUGET SOUND WATERSHED, WATER RESOURCE INVENTORY AREA (WRIA-9) SALMON HABITAT PLAN, "MAKING OUR WATERSHED FIT FOR A KING." WHEREAS, the 2021 update to the WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Plan ("WRIA 9 Plan") is an addendum to the 2005 WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Plan, and includes new science, revised habitat goals and recovery strategies, an updated capital project list, and a monitoring and adaptive management plan; and WHEREAS, 17 local governments in WRIA 9 ("Parties") have partnered through an interlocal agreement (ILA) (2001-2006, 2007-2015, 2016-2025) to jointly fund development and implementation of the WRIA 9 Plan to address shared interest in and responsibility for long-term watershed planning and salmon recovery in the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed ("watershed"); and WHEREAS, in March 1999, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries listed the Puget Sound Chinook salmon evolutionary significant unit, including the Green River Chinook salmon population, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA); and WHEREAS, local jurisdictions have authority over some habitat -based aspects of Chinook survival through land use and other policies and programs; and the state and tribes, who are the legal co -managers of the fishery resource, are responsible for addressing harvest and hatchery management; and WHEREAS, the WRIA 9 partners recognize participating in the ILA and implementing priorities in the WRIA 9 Plan demonstrates their commitment to proactively working to address the ESA listing of Chinook salmon; and CC:\Legislative Development\WRIA-9 Salmon Plan update 6-7-21 MP:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 1 of 3 2 WHEREAS, coordination and cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, businesses, non-governmental organizations, landowners, community members, and other interests are essential to implement and adaptively manage a salmon recovery plan; and WHEREAS, the Puget Sound Partnership serves as the Puget Sound regional organization and lead agency for planning and implementing the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan, approved by NOAA Fisheries; and WHEREAS, the WRIA 9 Plan is one of 15 watershed -based chapters of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan; and WHEREAS, the City supports cooperation at the WRIA level to set common priorities for actions among partners, efficient use of resources and investments, and distribution of responsibility for actions and expenditures; and WHEREAS, habitat protection and restoration actions to increase Chinook salmon productivity trends are necessary throughout the watershed, in conjunction with other recovery efforts, to avoid extinction in the near term and restore WRIA 9 Chinook salmon to viability in the long term; and WHEREAS, salmon recovery is interrelated with flood risk reduction, water quality improvement, open -space protection, recreation, economic development, and tribal treaty rights; and WHEREAS, the City has a strong interest to achieve multiple benefit outcomes for people and fish across the watershed; and WHEREAS, the WRIA 9 Plan recognizes that salmon recovery is a long-term effort, and focuses on a 10 -year implementation time horizon to allow for evaluation of progress and adaptation of goals and implementation strategies; and WHEREAS, it is important to provide jurisdictions, the private sector and the public with certainty and predictability regarding the course of salmon recovery actions in WRIA 9; and WHEREAS, if insufficient action is taken at the local and regional level, it is unlikely Chinook salmon populations in WRIA 9 will improve and it is possible the federal government could list Puget Sound Chinook salmon as an endangered species, thereby decreasing local flexibility; and WHEREAS, the Parties previously took formal action to ratify the 2005 Salmon Habitat Plan; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: CC:\Legislative Development\WRIA-9 Salmon Plan update 6-7-21 MP:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 2 of 3 3 The City hereby ratifies the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed, Water Resource Inventory Area 9 Salmon Habitat Plan Update, Making Our Watershed Fit for a King, dated February 2021. Ratification is intended to convey the City's support for the following: 1. Protecting and restoring habitat based on best available science with the intent to achieve sustainable, resilient, and harvestable populations of naturally spawning Chinook salmon. 2. Pursuing a multi -benefit approach to WRIA 9 Plan implementation that integrates salmon recovery, flood hazard reduction, water quality improvements, open space and recreation, and equity and social justice to improve outcomes for people and fish. 3. Utilizing the WRIA 9 Plan as a source of best available science to inform local government actions, including, but not limited to land use, shoreline, and transportation planning/permitting. 4. Utilizing capital project concepts, programmatic actions, and policies outlined within the WRIA 9 Plan to inform local priorities for implementation and funding via grants, capital improvements, ordinances, and other activities. Ratification does not obligate any partner to implement any specific actions or adhere to specific timelines for such actions. 5. Working collaboratively with local, state, and federal partners and tribes to support and fund implementation of the WRIA 9 Plan, including monitoring and adaptive management to address scientific uncertainty, tracking and communicating progress, and refining strategies to ensure cost-effective investments. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, a a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2021. ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk Kate Kruller, Council President APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Office of the City Attorney CC:\Legislative Development\WRIA-9 Salmon Plan update 6-7-21 MP:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: Page 3 of 3 4 City of Tukwila Washington n Resolution No. 16 9,5 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, RATIFYING THE GREEN/DUWAMISH AND CENTRAL PUGET SOUND WATERSHED, WATER RESOURCE INVENTORY AREA (WRIA-9) SALMON HABITAT PLAN, "MAKING OUR WATERSHED FIT FOR A KING." WHEREAS, in March 1999, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) listed the Puget Sound Chinook salmon evolutionary significant unit as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA); and WHEREAS, in November 1999, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the Puget Sound bull trout distinct population segment as a threatened species under the ESA; and WHEREAS, significant areas of the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed, Water Resource Inventory Area 9, are designated by the Federal government as critical salmon habitat; and WHEREAS, coordination and cooperation among Federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, businesses, non-governmental organizations, landowners, citizens, and other interests are essential to plan for and implement a salmon recovery plan; and WHEREAS, the City supports cooperation at the WRIA level to set common priorities for actions among partners, efficient use of resources and investments, and distribution of responsibility for actions and expenditures; and WHEREAS, 17 local governments in WRIA-9 entered into an interlocal agreement in 2001 to jointly fund development of the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed, Water Resource Inventory Area 9 Salmon Habitat Plan, "Making our Watershed Fit for a King," published August 10, 2005; and WHEREAS, the WRIA-9 Salmon Habitat Plan, developed by a steering committee comprised of multiple interests, includes a wide variety of actions that focus on habitat recovery for Chinook salmon, bull trout, and other salmonids for the next ten years, and prioritizes them to guide efforts to recover the Green River Chinook salmon population; and WHEREAS, the WRIA-9 Salmon Habitat Plan is based upon a sound scientific foundation, and includes an adaptive management approach and funding strategy for implementation; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City hereby ratifies the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed, Water Resource Inventory Area 9 Salmon Habitat Plan, "Making our Watershed Fit for a King," dated August 2005. Section 2. This resolution does not obligate the City Council to future appropriations beyond current authority. T FcCIT.VF.TI RY TNF FTTY C lTTNCTT. (lF TT -TF ('TTY CIF TTTTCWTT.A WAST-TTMC,TCIM_ at