Summary

The King County Council on Wednesday approved grants to improve water quality across King County with nearly $317,000 awarded to to critical projects and organizations to benefit King County Council District 6.

Story

The King County Council on Wednesday approved grants to improve water quality across King County with nearly $317,000 awarded to to critical projects and organizations to benefit King County Council District 6.

“These grants do double duty to both educate our youth about the importance of environmental stewardship while also repairing the harm of decades of degradation,” said Council Vice Chair Claudia Balducci. “I’m happy to support so many organizations that are working in District 6 to improve water quality and enhance environmental awareness and I can’t wait to see the results of their work.”

The grants, administered through the WaterWorks Grant Program, will provide funding to 28 projects within the King County regional wastewater system.

Awarded every two years, the grants go to a variety of organizations, including non-profits, schools, cities, counties, tribes and special purpose districts. Funds often bridge the gaps needed to bring partially funded projects to completion.

Six projects and organizations impacting District 6 won awards:

• $120,000 Sustainability Ambassadors – Build on existing models to develop a teacher training program that will include teacher fellows who train their peers, shared curriculum and resource development, Clean Water Plan Town Halls at four schools, programs to engage students in planning and monitoring water quality projects, and teacher training program to build expertise and exposure to the Clean Water Plan.
• $22,035 City of Kirkland/Eastside Prep – Remove invasive species, plant native species and water for three years to restore an old borrow pit in Watershed Park. The project is a partnership between Kirkland and Eastside Prep that began in 2007.
• $10,000 Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group – Purchase native trees and shrubs that local volunteers and King County Parks Program volunteers can plant this winter along the Sammamish, next to Delille and Adventura.
• $29,220 Mercer Island Parks and Recreation – Restore and protect the South Wetland on the Island with the following activities: Protect and improve water quality functions of the wetland, enhance and restore the wetland's buffer, engage a diverse community of volunteers, as well as educate the community about wetland habitat and its importance.
• $86,500 City of Kirkland – Construct an approximately 350 square-foot rain garden that will enhance stormwater management, safety and aesthetics in the North Rose Hill Neighborhood. Part of a larger stormwater retrofit in neighborhood in Forbes Creek Watershed.
• $25,000 Pacific Science Center – Provide program discount and transportation subsidy for low-income students to participate in the Field Studies program at the Mercer Slough Educational Center.
• $24,000 City of Bellevue – Develop a toolbox of structural, operational, regulatory and programmatic best management practices and develop a watershed assessment report for the Kelsey Creek Basin.