July 5, 2000 Environmental restoration to take place in Green/Duwamish River Basin SEATTLE-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and King County Department of Natural Resources announced the release of their Draft PEIS-Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement-and Draft Restoration Plan, which focus on plans for habitat restoration of the Green/Duwamish River Basin. The draft plans also focus on enhancing and restoring salmon and other fish and wildlife habitats throughout the river basin. The PEIS and Restoration plan are a result of joint collaboration between King County, the Corps, nine watersheds' cities, and other agencies. Three alternatives action plans were evaluated including an alternative evaluating taking no actions. The preferred alternative is a multi-species approach to restore ecological resources and processes that would benefit multiple fish, riparian, and riverine wildlife species. The plan encompasses over 50 potential actions throughout the river basin, from Elliott Bay to the upper portions of the watershed. The other alternative evaluated in the PEIS is a single-species approach focusing on chinook salmon. The preferred alternative describes a restoration plan involving a broad variety of restoration approaches and projects, including reconnection of historic side channel habitat, modification of Green River levees, restoration of both urban and rural stream corridors, replenishment of gravel in the middle Green River, and many others. The Corps and County, as lead agencies for the PEIS, will accept verbal comments at a July 27 public meeting being held at the Tukwila Community Center (12424 42nd S. Tukwila) at 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to provide written comment on the PEIS, to clarify which issues appear to be major concerns, and to provide input on the acceptability of alternatives. The closing date for written comments is August 14, 2000. Written comments can be directed to Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: Environmental Resources Section, PO Box 3755, Seattle, Washington 98124-3755. Other comments or questions may be directed to Patrick Cagney, Seattle District Corps of Engineers, 206-764-6577 or Clint Loper, Senior Engineer, King County Water and Land Resources Division, 206-296-8378. - end - Related information Green River/Duwamish Watershed

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