Salmon Conservation Planning Snoqualmie/Skykomish Watershed (WRIA 7)

In 1999, Puget Sound chinook salmon and bull trout were listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA protects listed species as well as habitat the species need to survive and prosper. Several efforts are under way in WRIA 7 to coordinate salmon conservation and recovery.

WRIA 7 Planning Efforts and Participants - The Snoqualmie Watershed Forum

King County, the Cities of Carnation, Duvall, North Bend, and Snoqualmie, the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and citizen representatives, are working together, through the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum, on projects to address salmon recovery, water quality and flooding in the King County portion of the Snoqualmie/Skykomish Watershed (WRIA 7).

These partners entered into an inter-local agreement to address watershed health and coordinate local interests in the development of a watershed-wide salmon conservation plan. The inter-local agreement establishes the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum. Members include elected officials from each of the six jurisdictions and three citizen appointees. The Forum has been successful at fostering collaboration among local governments and providing a place to openly discuss watershed issues.

The Forum works on

• Supporting the development of a salmon conservation plan.
• Making sure the needs and concerns of people in the Watershed are part of long-term planning.
• Funding environmental restoration and protection projects.
• Improving public awareness and involvement in watershed and salmon protection efforts.

Since 1998, the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum has made significant accomplishments in projects to adress salmon recovery, water quality and flooding. In this timeframe the Forum has:

• Approved and recommended 30 projects totaling almost $1.7 million dollars. These projects leveraged an additional $16 million dollars from other sources.
• Organized and supported 25 volunteer restoration plantings, involving over 1,000 volunteers and planting over 13,000 trees.
• Hosted 7 educational workshops and watershed festivals and used an educational display to expose residents to watershed issues.
• Completed the joint review of local planning policies and regulations and agreed to work on consistent programs across jurisdictions.
• Supported local implementation of the Snohomish Basin Near Term Action Agenda.
• Developed project and planning documents.

For more information about the Forum, contact Yvette Lizee-Smith, Snoqualmie Watershed Coordinator by e-mail or at 206-296-6570.

Meetings are open to the public, and held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, every other month, from 7-9 PM.

See our Calendar of Events for upcoming meetings.

WRIA 7 Salmon Conservation Plan Process and Schedule

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