HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem VIII-B-8WASHINGTON
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subiect Date:
Olson Creek Habitat Restoration Project December 10, 2003
Department: Planning Attachments: Resolution No. 3670 Budget Impact: yes
$$2,500 increase to CIP
Administrative Recommendation:
City Council to adopt Resolution No. 3670.
Background Summary:
The project will restore salmon habitat in Olson Creek within the historic Olson Farm. This reach provides
spawning habitat for coho and chum salmon as well as summer rearing and refuge/over-wintering habitat
for juvenile chinook salmon. The proposal calls for restoring the lower ¼ mile of the stream by removing
excess gravel load, creating a two-stage channel for Iow flow transport, placing large wood in the stream,
removing invasive blackberries and planting native vegetation along the lower reaches of the creek.
A road failure and landslide above the Olson Canyon in 1995 deposited large quantities of sediment in
the lower creek. The resulting shallow channel depth and loss of pool habitat limits fish passage during
Iow flows and affects the quality and quantity of rearing and spawning habitat. With few large trees along
this reach, non-native blackberries are the main source of stream shading. However, blackberries
provide few of the benefits that native vegetation provides. The Farm segment also lacks adequate
sources of large woody debris, which provides channel stability and in-stream cover.
Recognizing the limited availability of tributary habitat in the lower Green River Basin, the
Green/Duwamish River Ecological Restoration Project (ERP) in 2000 identified Olson Creek as one of 45
salmon habitat restoration projects recommended for federal funding. To date, no funds have been
authorized to proceed with the Olson Creek project and a timeline for project implementation is uncertain.
The City of Auburn, in conjunction with the White River Valley Museum, is seeking funding assistance
that would allow planning, design, and initial construction of the Olson Creek restoration project to begin.
Similar experience involving other ERP-recommended projects suggest Olson Creek may be more likely
to receive federal assistance if local resources are used to initiate the project.
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Reviewed by Council & Committees: Reviewed by Departments & Divisions:
[] Arts Commission COUNCIL COMMITTEES: [] Building [] M&O
[] Airport [] Finance [] Cemetery [] Mayor
[] Hearing Examiner [] Municipal Serv. [] Finance [] Parks
[] Human Services [] Planning & CD [] Fire [] Planning
[] Park Board []Public Works [] Legal [] Police
[] Planning Comm. [] Other [] Public Works [] Human Resources
Action:
Committee Approval: []Yes []No
Council Approval: []Yes []No Call for Public Hearing / /__
Referred to Until / /
Tabled Until / /
Councilmember: Borden Staff: Krauss
Meeting Date: December 15, 2003 Item Number: VIII.B.8
AUBURN * THAN YOU IMAGINED
Agenda Subiect
Olson Creek Habitat Restoration Project
Date:
December 10, 2003
Fundinq Need:
Funding for the stream restoration project, including stream channel design and completion of the riparian
enhancement phase, is estimated at approximately $82,500 (cost estimate to be refined once the
restoration plan is developed). Anticipated sources of funding include:
King County WaterWorks - $50,000 (non-federal grant; submitted 12/4/03)
King Conservation District - $32,500 (funds reserved for City of Auburn; approximately $65,000
available)
The King County Waterworks grant requires a 25% cash match, which the City will satisfy using the funds
it receives from the King Conservation District.
Schedule:
The stream restoration design is to be completed within three months. Construction/restoration activities
to commence after permits are obtained (July - September 2004).
Benefits:
The restored creek will be an important element in the renovated Olson Farm. In addition to its historical
preservation and educational missions, the farm will emphasize environmental stewardship, with a focus
on stream ecology. In the future, signage will be placed in key locations (e.g., near the footbridge) to help
educate visitors about the ecological importance of tributary habitats and their significance in preserving
healthy salmon runs in the Green River Basin.
PCDC\OLSON CREEK
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O5.1.2, A1.3
Page 2 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. 3670
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AUBURN, WASHINGTON, TAKING STEPS TO RESTORE THE
SALMON HABITAT IN OLSON CREEK WITHIN THE HISTORIC
OLSON FARM BY UTILIZING WATERWORKS GRANT FUNDS
AND TRANSFERS FROM THE KING CONSERVATION DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks is
seeking WaterWorks and Rural Community Partnership grant applications for
community stewardship projects that improve or restore water-dependent habitats;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Auburn's proposal to restore the salmon habitat in
Olson Creek within the historic Olson Farm meets the WaterWorks grant
requirements; and
and
WHEREAS, the WaterWorks grant requires a 25% or $12,500 cash match;
WHEREAS, the King Conservation District has funds collected from its per-
parcel assessments that are earmarked for conservation projects within the city
limits of Auburn; and
WHEREAS, if King County awards the City's grant application, the necessary
grant agreements will need to be executed before the end of the Fiscal Year 2003.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City hereby approves the grant from King County in the
amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) and the transfer of Thirty-two Thousand
Resolution No. 3670
December10,2003
Page !
Five Hundred Dollars ($32,500) from the King Conservation District for the purposes
of restoring salmon habitat on Olson Creek within the historic Olson Farm. The
Mayor and City Clerk of the City of Auburn are authorized to execute the necessary
Agreements with King County and King Conservation District for the reimbursement
of said funds.
Section 2. The City hereby combines the Waterworks grant of $50,000 and
the transfer of $32,500 from the King Conservation District to create a total
appropriation of $82,500 in the City of Auburn's Capital Improvement Fund for the
restoration of salmon habitat on Olson Creek within the historic Olson Farm.
Section 3. The Mayor is hereby authorized to implement such administrative
procedures as may be necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation.
Section 4. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect upon passage and
signatures hereon.
DATED AND SIGNED this
day of
CITY OF AUBURN
,2003.
Peter B. Lewis
Mayor
Resolution No. 3670
December10,2003
Page 2
ATTEST:
Danielle Daskam,
City Clerk
APPR A RM:
City Attorney ~
Resolution No. 3670
December 10, 2003
Page 3