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OVERVIEW

PHASE I

• Input from Watershed Advisory Group and key partners

• Input from open houses and outreach

PHASE II

• Ongoing GIS data collection and review of current initiatives/projects

• Evaluation of key projects

• Preliminary synthesis to link opportunities

PHASE III

• A collaborative implementation strategy

GDWS PROCESS

STILLAGUAMISH*

SNOHOMISH*Launching Spring 2015CEDAR/SAMMAMISH

Scoping Completed 2010

KITSAP*

GREEN/DUWAMISHLaunched Fall 2014

PUYALLUP/WHITECompleted Summer 2014

Follow Up Evaluations in 2015

NISQUALLY*

CLOVERS/CHAMBER*

*Funds currently being sought

LOCAL PRIORITIES

The ROSS is working to identify priorities and solutions for five key challenges facing the Puget

Sound region where open space plays a critical role.

CLIMATE CHANGE BIODIVERSITY SOCIAL EQUITY HUMAN HEALTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ADDRESS MULTIPLE OBJECTIVES

LINKING PROGRAMS/PROJECTS TO OUTCOMES

INTERCONNECTED SYSTEM OF AIR, WATER & LAND

KNITTING TOGETHER INITIATIVES (NOT REPLACING THEM)

• May 15th, September 16th WAG Meetings

• Ongoing GIS data collection and review of current initiatives/projects

• Watershed Listening Tour

• Preliminary synthesis to link challenges & opportunities

• Advancing Key Proposals

WATERSHED STRATEGY ACTIVITY UPDATE

WATERSHED STRATEGY

The “Strategy”

…the science & art of employing the political, social, and other forces of the region to achieve success toward a common goal

Not a Plan, Not Implementation The Strategy can identify high priority implementation actions and call for additional plan(s) development to fill gaps.

Background Research • Biodiversity, Social Equity, Economy, Climate

Change, Human Health

• Compiled into Synthesis Cards

Review of Key Plans and Programs• Existing efforts addressing air, land, water, and

socioeconomic conditions

• Compiled into Plan and Program Inventory Table

ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE

BACKGROUND CONDITIONS

BACKGROUND CONDITIONS

BACKGROUND CONDITIONS

BACKGROUND CONDITIONS

BACKGROUND CONDITIONS

BACKGROUND CONDITIONS

Background research compiled in Synthesis Cards• Biodiversity, climate change,

human health, social equity, economic development

Listening Tour• Interviews

• Focus Group meetings

• Open Houses

• Online survey

Engaged nearly 100 participants

Compiled findings into Challenges & Opportunities Table

ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE

SETTING PRIORITIES FOR PHASE II

KEY FINDINGS

KEY FINDINGS

Challenge: Viable Habitat• Urban development, climate change,

and invasive species threaten biodiversity

• These key factors negatively impact water quality, air quality, and habitat

Opportunity:• Develop stronger tools and more

resources

• Expand salmon centric approach

Coyote found in King County residence

KEY FINDINGS

Challenge: Viable HabitatCompeting objectives in each reach:

• Lower: Industry vs neighborhoods vs environment

• Middle: Flood reduction vsecology vs recreation

• Upper: Farming and development vs ecology and water quality

Opportunity:

• Iniatiate efforts to integrate objectives

KEY FINDINGS

Challenge: Climate Change• Climate change = more flooding and

storm surge, especially in valleys

Opportunity:• Coordinate to address stormwater,

flooding, and storm surge, as interconnected system

King Tide in Elliott Bay

KEY FINDINGS

Challenge: Human Health• Communities are impacted by

contamination of air, land, and water

Opportunity:• Explore strategic interventions,

including land use and open space planning, to yield cleaner air, land, and water resources

Duwamish/Diagonal Sediment Remediation Project

KEY FINDINGS

Challenge: Subsistence Fishing• Subsistence fishers are exposed to

chemical contamination from catches in Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, and the Lower Duwamish River

Opportunity:• Investigate opportunities to increase

public access to healthful fishing

Fish advisory – Duwamish River

KEY FINDINGS

Challenge: Social & Environmental Justice• Environmental burdens and access to open space

resources are not equitably distributed

• Highly impacted communities are less likely to enjoy the prosperity of our thriving region

Opportunity:• Prioritize open space planning for highly impacted

communities, increasing access without promoting gentrification or displacement.

• Ensure that all people can participate meaningfully in decision-making

• Conduct equity Impact Review Got Green event in South Seattle

KEY FINDINGS

Challenge: Human Health• Many communities in the Duwamish and lower

Green exhibit lower health conditions

• Suburban and exurban communities often have less access to recreation. A recreation facility supply/demand study is needed to identify needs.

Opportunity:• Add key regional trail connections and better

access from residential neighborhoods.

• Convene an interjurisdictional study of recreation needs and a strategy to address them.

Got Green event in South Seattle

KEY FINDINGS

Challenge: Stormwater Regulation• Land and business owners near the Green and

Duwamish Rivers find it difficult to navigate onsite stormwater regulations

• Enforcement can seem sometimes arbitrary and costly to businesses

Opportunity:• Coordinate stormwater enforcement actions

to facilitate compliance and improve both environmental and economic sustainability

Boeing’s South Park bioswale project

PHASE II - VISION

Incorporate current activities

• E.g. Levee setback projects on the Green River

Work with organizations to identify and advocate measures to assist current activities

• E.g. Identify what is needed to complete a high priority trail

Facilitate collaboration between organizations

• E.g. Convene a watershed-wide stormwater forum

Outline a strategy for new activity to be initiated later

• E.g. Conceptualize a “valley wall greenbelt: enhancement program

Produce analysis that address a GDW need

• E.g. Conduct Equity Impact Review (EIR)