|
On behalf of all the local governments of WRIA 9, this page is proudly hosted by the 
What is the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed?The watershed includes the area drained by the Green/Duwamish River, the small streams from Seattle's Elliott Bay to Federal Way, and Vashon/Maury Islands. This area also is called Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 9 under state guidelines. Click here to view a map. A watershed is a basin-shaped area that drains to a central point where it enters a large river, lake, or the ocean. Our watershed includes surface waters such as the Green/Duwamish Rivers, smaller streams, ground water, and the salt waters of the Duwamish estuary, Elliott Bay, and Puget Sound. Our watershed is home to 630,000 people and thousands of salmon.
What if salmon don't matter to me? Why should I pay attention to the Near-Term Action Agenda for my watershed?
Protecting salmon and water quality also protects human health and quality of life, for us and for future generations. The same watershed that is home to salmon provides us with drinking water, food, forest products, minerals, flood protection, recreation, transportation corridors, and a beautiful environment in which to live and work. In a broad sense, our community includes the natural environment and the salmon that are part of it. Also, actions focused on helping salmon and improving watershed health may require some changes in the way we use land and water. Even if you aren't interested in salmon, you may be interested in some of the actions because they may affect you.
Who developed the Near-Term Action Agenda?
The Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA 9) Steering Committee provided the scope for the Near-Term Action Agenda. A subcommittee called the Planning Work Group created a draft with help from other subcommittees focused on scientific questions, restoration/acquisition projects, and public outreach. Development of the NTAA is part of a larger planning process to understand and meet salmon habitat needs in our watershed. The Steering Committee itself is a multi-stakeholder group that guides salmon habitat planning in the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed. The Steering Committee includes representatives of watershed cities and King County, business interests, environmental groups, and local, state, and federal agencies. A public review process in the winter of 2002 generated suggestions from the public, many of which were used to revise the NTAA before it was approved by the Steering Committee in March 2002. Click here to download citizen comments and information on how the Steering Committee used those comments.
What is the purpose of the Near-Term Action Agenda?
The Near-Term Action Agenda is intended to inform governments, organizations, and individuals who will make decisions about projects, policies, programs, and research to recover salmon habitat. The Action Agenda is informing efforts while we develop a more detailed comprehensive salmon Habitat Plan for the watershed. (Note: In December 2005, the Habitat Plan replaced the Near-Term Action Agenda as the guidance document for salmon habitat recovery in the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed.)
Are the recommendations in the Near-Term Action Agenda binding on local governments?
No. Implementation of recommendations contained in the Action Agenda is voluntary. The Steering Committee has no authority to mandate its implementation; local governments and volunteer groups are deciding whether, when, and how to implement elements of the Action Agenda.
What is the scientific basis for the recommendations in the Near-Term Action Agenda?
The recommendations are based on the current scientific understanding of salmon use and habitat conditions in the watershed. This information is described in great detail in the Habitat Limiting Factors and Reconnaissance Assessment Report, published in December 2000. Detailed information on the Puget Sound part of the watershed is found in the State of the Nearshore Ecosystem Report. Text in the NTAA clearly identifies the expected benefit to salmon and explains how the action is linked to the interim scientific "strategy" for salmon recovery in this watershed. The interim "strategy" is described in Chapter 2 (PDF format) of the NTAA and summarized in graphic form in Figure 3 (PDF format).
How will this document deal with new scientific information and changing habitat conditions?
The Near-Term Action Agenda recommends monitoring of projects so that we can learn what does and does not work. The more detailed, comprehensive Habitat Plan will be based on both existing science and current monitoring as well as new research and scientific advances. The Habitat Plan also will benefit from “lessons learned” during implementation of the Near-Term Action Agenda. The Habitat Plan is due to be completed in 2005.
Why is the Near-Term Action Agenda focused specifically on habitat issues? Aren’t harvest, hatchery, and hydropower dam issues also important for salmon conservation and recovery?
Harvest, hatchery, and hydropower issues are important pieces in the salmon puzzle. However, local governments have limited or no jurisdiction in these matters. Their jurisdiction lies primarily in the arena of habitat through their land use regulations that include critical areas, shorelines, and sensitive area regulations as well as road maintenance and stormwater management. It is estimated that 30% of the decline of salmon in the Pacific Northwest is due to habitat loss and degradation. Therefore, local governments and local citizens have an important role to play in the recovery of this species. The Puget Sound Shared Strategy is playing a role in developing a coordinated set of solutions to all of the problems facing salmon.
What role does the Near-Term Action Agenda suggest for me?
The Near-Term Action Agenda has two recommendations -- WRIA-Wide Actions 5 and 6 -- that focus on getting information to people and encouraging them to make changes in their daily lives to protect water quality and salmon habitat. These recommendations will expand and build on a number of already successful efforts. A third recommendation -- WRIA-Wide Action 16 -- emphasizes greater stewardship and education efforts to help people take responsibility for their local streams and beaches. In addition, many of the projects identified for the subwatersheds may include volunteer opportunities during construction and maintenance. Protecting salmon means we all need to think about how our everyday actions affect their habitat. Visit our "What You Can Do Page" to get started. Local knowledge and action are an essential part of protecting salmon and the watershed we share.
Will landowners and residents be able to comment on recommendations before they are implemented?
Yes. Individual jurisdictions currently are considering whether, how, and when to implement various provisions. These decisions may include formal opportunities to comment. These opportunities could consist of council hearings on regulatory changes, budget review processes, and public comment periods during permitting of specific restoration projects. Informal opportunities are created on a case-by-case basis and will vary according to the needs of the project and level of interest in the community. Contact your local government for more information. Has the Near-Term Action Agenda sat on shelf since it was completed or is it being used?
The Near-Term Action Agenda is indeed being used. In accordance with language in Chapter 5 of the document calling for annual progress reports, a report was prepared in early 2003 to summarize 2002 activites. A second annual progress report was compiled in early 2004 to summarize 2003 activities. These reports summarized all of the salmon-habitat related activities carried out by governments, non-profit groups, and volunteers. These annual progress reports are available for downloading:
How can I learn more?
If you have further questions or would like to request a briefing for your group, please contact Dennis Clark, 206-296-1909. |
| For questions about this Web Page, please contact Fred Bentler, webmaster. |
Department of Natural Resources and Parks Updated: December 30, 2005 |
|
|
King County | Natural Resources and Parks | Water and Land Resources | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. |
