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On October 27, 2008, Area Council Environmental Services representative Susan Dawson attended an important meeting on salmon recovery. Reports were presented for Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIA) 7 (Snohomish watershed), 8 (Lake Washington, Cedar River, and Sammamish watershed), and 9 (Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound watershed). Returning salmon numbers are down everywhere except in the Cedar River. However, sockeye numbers are down in the Cedar River and consideration is being given to rearing some in hatcheries for release.

 

There have been 162 salmon recovery projects identified as 10-year starter projects for WRIA 8. King County agreed to supply $170 million ($17 million per year) for these projects, but has fallen short on that yearly outlay.

WRIA 7 has reported a good response from the local farmers concerning improvement of riparian buffers. WRIA 9 reported the removal of 1400 ft. of cement bulkhead along the Puget Sound nearshore in Seahurst Park and the planting of native plants. Marine nearshore areas provide habitat for young salmon until they are big enough to go out to sea.

 

There is an effort under way to have Puget Sound designated as one of our nation's Great Waters. This would enable federal funds to be used for the clean-up. Stormwater runoff is the main source of pollution in Puget Sound. For more information regarding salmon conservation and restoration, watershed planning, and the various local WRIAs, click here. For more information on all 62 Washington state WRIAs, click here.