The Metropolitan King County Council today approved a three-year agreement with the King Conservation District for natural resource protection efforts throughout King County, and renewed a special assessment to provide funds to support those efforts, which include recovery of endangered salmon runs and assistance to farmers.

“Restoring habitat for Chinook salmon benefits all citizens of King County,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine, chair of the watershed planning effort in the Green/Duwamish watershed (WRIA 9). “This assessment is an important step in fulfilling our region’s salmon recovery obligations.”

Today's action authorizes an annual assessment from 2007-2009 of $9.98 per parcel on all King County properties except those classified as forestry, or those within the boundaries of Enumclaw, Federal Way, Milton, Pacific and Skykomish. The special assessment also includes one cent for parcels between one and five acres, or two cents for parcels greater than five acres.

The special assessment is expected to raise $5.7 million in 2007. Under the three-year agreement, each $10 raised will be disbursed according to the following formula:

• $5 for the multi-jurisdictional Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) response to the endangered species listing of Chinook salmon, including rehabilitating creeks and building projects to restore salmon runs.
• $2 for municipal conservation programs throughout King County, including the purchase of conservation easements and parklands and the restoration of wetlands inside city limits.
• $3 for the King Conservation District (KCD) to provide technical assistance, outreach and educational work in support of farms and farmlands, and the conservation of natural resources.

“This assessment will go a long way toward improving conservation efforts in King County,” said King County Councilmember Larry Phillips. “Recovering endangered salmon and helping farmers stay in King County takes more than just wishful thinking. These funds will enable us to get to work on water quality and agricultural projects that will make a real difference to farmers, fish, and all King County residents.”

An amendment sponsored by Councilmember Reagan Dunn and adopted by the Council creates an advisory committee to investigate updated and new best available science and make funding recommendations for landowner incentive programs. The advisory committee would present its findings at the direction of KCD to WRIA forums and member jurisdictions.

“I'm proud to have worked with the Conservation District to find a solution that will build long-term bridges with the County,” said Councilmember Dunn. “The safeguards in this agreement will ensure that best scientific practices will be implemented to protect people, salmon, and the environment."

Special assessments for conservation districts are authorized by state law to conserve natural resources. The first KCD special assessment was levied in 1994. The KCD provides the benefits of resource practices to all parcel owners or land occupiers within the district, including:

• technical assistance to landowners to meet the requirements of state, county and municipal regulations relating to conservation;
• technical support for King County agricultural programs;
• assistance to landowners in resolving code enforcement issues relating to conservation and environmental protection;
• development of plans for livestock manure storage facilities;
• assistance to county and municipal departments with water quality coordination and protections;
• coordination of intergovernmental partnerships to carry out joint projects, including the development and implementation of watershed plans;
• assistance to governments to develop livestock and agricultural laws and regulations;
• research to determine and develop the most effective best management practices to improve water quality;
• development of farm plans; and
• cost-sharing funding for sensitive area best management practices implementation.

The KCD is a governmental subdivision of the state of Washington, one of 50 such agencies across the state. It is not an agency of King County government. The KCD has no regulatory or enforcement authority and works with those individuals, groups and agencies who choose to work with the district.

To learn more about the King Conservation District,
click here

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system.
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