PLEASE NOTE: These bulletins, published since 1997, are historical. The content is not updated.
Question: What do healthy soils have to do with saving salmon?
Historically, developers have often stripped native topsoil, compacted the remaining subsoils, and planted turfgrass lawns directly on these compacted, sterile, soils. Lawns planted on such soils behave like concrete, or other impervious surfaces - stormwater quickly runs off, carrying sediments, lawn chemicals and pet wastes into streams and other waterways. Such lawns also require more irrigation and increased fertilization, both of which can harm aquatic habitats.
Answer: Soils for Salmon project
Soils for Salmon encourages developers to amend disturbed soils with compost or other organic material during construction. Soils amended in this way will support the populations of microbes and plants that can enable soil to act as a sponge and a filter for stormwater runoff. Healthy soil, and the healthy plants it can support, can increase water retention, minimize
runoff and improve the impact on salmon habitat.This program was launched in the Spring of 1999, taking inspiration and motivation from the "Salmon in the City" and "Society for Ecological Restoration" conferences held in 1998.
The Washington Organics Recycling Council (WORC) with assistance from public agencies, research institutions, non-profit organizations, and private businesses, initiated Soils for Salmon to foster research, education and implementation of strategies to improve soil and benefit our salmon and water resources.
The Soils for Salmon challenge is to implement a strategy designed to improve soil health in our region. The goal is to improve the characteristics of urban soil to perform more like a native soil so that a more vibrant diversity of organisms will thrive, healthier plant growth will be sustained, and air and water will be retained more effectively.
Soils for Salmon sponsored two seminars in 1999 with speakers including research scientists, contractors, and water quality experts. The seminar addressed the relationship between urban soils, hydrology and salmon habitat. Participants examined how improving soils that have been disturbed by construction can increase water retention and water quality - and thus aid in salmon recovery efforts.
For more information, please visit the Soils for Salmon website or contact Washington Organic Recycling Council (contact info below) about how to get involved.
Organizations/programs:
- Washington Organics Recycling Council (WORC)
- PO Box 7514
- Olympia, WA 98507-7514
- Phone: (360)754-5162
- E-mail: mailto:alacart@olywa.net
Center for Urban Water Resources Management, University of Washington
- Washington State University Extension
Articles:
- "Some fertile ideas may help save fish"
- By Susan Jankowski, Environmental Editor, Daily Journal of Commerce (5/17/00)
"The Relationship Between Soil and Water: Soil Amendments and Compost Can Aid in Salmon Recovery"
(20 page PDF report)"Guidelines for Landscaping with Comport-Amended Soils"
(56 page PDF report):Salmon:
- Salmon Information Center
- Tri-County Salmon Information Center
- 1-877-SALMON-9
Endangered Species Act: Salmon Conservation and Recovery (King County)
Endangered Species ProgramCompost:
Special thanks to all of those people who are involved in this educational and beneficial project. This program certainly crosses many different disciplines and welcomes all to work together toward better understanding of our ecosystems and better soil management practices. Please continue your good work and continue to share resources.
Environmental Purchasing Program
The King County Environmental Purchasing Program assists County agencies in implementation of King County Executive Policy CON-7-1-2, which requires agencies to use recycled and other environmentally preferable products wherever practicable.
The program assembles information about these products and makes it available to specific agency users who can evaluate them and develop applications in County projects.
These environmental purchasing bulletins contain information about the results of product evaluations and other accomplishments of County agencies. We hope this information will help you find ways to use recycled materials in the work of your agency and that you will contact us if we can help you with further information or if you have suggestions.
- Environmental Purchasing Program
- King County Procurement & Contract Services
Published: May 25, 2000
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Environmental Purchasing Menu | Bulletin List
Updated: May 25, 2000
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