Resolution: Interlocal Agreement for Lake Sammamish Watershed
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Agenda Bill City Council Regular Meeting December 03, 2019 SUBJECT: Resolution: Interlocal Agreement For Lake Sammamish Watershed Investigations and Kokanee Salmon Recovery Actions DATE SUBMITTED: November 25, 2019 DEPARTMENT: Public Works NEEDED FROM COUNCIL: ☑ Action ☐ Direction ☐ Informational RECOMMENDATION: Approve the City entering into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) related to kokanee recovery. EXHIBITS: 1. Exhibit 1 - Lake Sammamish and Kokanee ILA 2. Attachments A and B to the Lake Sammamish and Kokanee ILA 3. Exhibit 2 - ILA Background Information 4. Exhibit 3 - Staff Presentation from 11/4/2019 BUDGET: Total dollar amount $38,400/year ☐ Approved in budget Fund(s) ☑ Budget reallocation required ☐ No budgetary impact WORK PLAN FOCUS AREAS: ☐ Transportation ☐ Community Safety ☐ Communication & Engagement ☐ Community Livability ☐ High Performing Government ☐ Culture & Recreation ☑ ☐ Environmental Health & Protection Financial Sustainability NEEDED FROM COUNCIL: Does City Council want the City to enter into an Interlocal Agreement For Lake Sammamish Watershed Investigations and Kokanee Salmon Recovery Actions? KEY FACTS AND INFORMATION SUMMARY: Late-run Kokanee salmon populations have declined precipitously and are at risk of extinction if conservation actions are not taken. Local jurisdictions in the Lake Sammamish Basin (Sammamish, Bellevue, Issaquah, Redmond, and King County) and the Snoqualmie Tribe (Tribe) are considering entering into an interlocal agreement (ILA) to conduct investigations into Lake Sammamish water quality; predation and disease; and emergency recovery actions for Kokanee salmon (Exhibit 1 - Lake Sammamish Kokanee ILA). The Tribe, Bellevue, and Issaquah have already signed the ILA agreement and are now partners to the ILA. King County and the City of Redmond are scheduled to consider the ILA in December. The ILA would be established for 10 years, but with annual option for termination by any entity. A representative elected official from each entity would review and approve annual work plans and budgets. Each year the next year work plan and budget would be forecasted for budget planning. Future costs could increase up to 10% plus inflation if approved by each city's elected representative to the ILA committee. Additional details of the kokanee emergency were presented to City Council in September 2018. Additional background on this subject is included as Exhibit 3 and includes discussion of: • The kokanee salmon species • Previous regional conservation efforts • Current Needs for Lake Sammamish Investigations and Kokanee Emergency Actions • Key elements of the ILA FINANCIAL IMPACT: Sammamish’s portion of the costs as a result of this ILA is $28,500 in 2019 (paid out of the Council Department's general fund) and $38,400 in 2020. The 2020 budget includes $37,900 for the Kokanee Work Group. Future year costs could increase up to 10% plus inflation over the preceding year, if approved by City Council. The following is a summary of the City expenditures and planned investments to support kokanee conservation efforts: One Time Contributions: • $10,000 (2016) to support Kokanee Recovery KWG Project Manager (Trout Unlimited) • $5,000 (2017) to support Kokanee Documentary Film (Trout Unlimited) • $28,500 (2018) to support emergency Kokanee Recovery actions (King County). Note, this money will constitute Sammamish's 2019 contribution to this ILA, if Council approves the ILA. Capital Projects: • Zackuse Creek Fish Passage and Stream Restoration Project (2018 Construction): $2,400,000 Project Total, $900,000 in grants, $1,500,000 City match. • George Davis Creek Fish Passage Project (2021 Construction): $2,550,000 in the 2019-2020 budget, $3,200,000 additional in grants. • Ebright Creek Fish Passage Project (2021 Construction): $1,200,000 in the adopted 2018-2023 Surface Water CIP, $352,000 in grants. Ongoing City Expenses: • Kokanee Education and Outreach: $29,000 per year, annually reimbursed by King Conservation District grant, meets requirements of NPDES Permit (since 2015). • Ebright Creek Stream and Wetland Monitoring: The City has historically paid approximately $15,000 per year, required by City Hall development conditions (since 2015). Chestnut Estates and The Crossings at Pine Lake pay approximately $8,000 and $22,000 per year, respectively. • Zackuse Creek Stream Monitoring: $22,000 per year for five years as required by Army Corps permit conditions for the Zackuse Creek Fish Passage Project (beginning in 2019). OTHER ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED: 1. Do not agree to join the ILA. This alternative could negatively affect the City's relationship with other City partners, and will reduce the joint funds available to the Kokanee Work Group to implement actions related to kokanee recovery and studies of Lake Sammamish. 2. Provide alternative direction to staff to modify Interest Statement or ILA and renegotiate with ILA partners. It would be very difficult to renegotiate the ILA, since three partner jurisdictions have already signed. However, small changes related to operating procedures could be captured in a charter-type document. RELATED CITY GOALS, POLICIES, AND MASTER PLANS: The ILA raises the policy question of Sammamish’s and other local jurisdiction’s roles in protecting and restoring Lake Sammamish water quality, the ecological health of the Lake Sammamish watershed, and maintaining a unique population of Kokanee salmon. City Comprehensive Plan goals and the Storm and Surface Water Management Comprehensive Plan support entering into a cost-share agreement for Kokanee recovery actions, with key goals described below: City of Sammamish Comprehensive Plan Environment & Conservation Goals • Goal EC.1 Serve as a leader in environmental stewardship of the natural environment for current and future generations. • Goal EC.3 Protect wetlands and other water resources from encroachment and degradation and encourage restoration of such resources. • Goal EC.4 Protect and promote a diversity of plant, pollinator and animal species habitat in Sammamish. • Goal EC.5 Maintain and protect surface water and groundwater resources that serve the community and enhance the quality of life. • Goal EC.7 Support regional efforts in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Shoreline Goals: Archaeological, Historical, and Cultural Resources: • Goal 9: Participate in cooperative restoration programs between local, state, and federal public agencies, tribes, non-profit organizations, and landowners. City of Sammamish Storm and Surface Water Management Comprehensive Plan • Goal 1 (G.1) – Comprehensively evaluate and address problems related to the existing stormwater system and manage storm and surface water systems to ensure longevity of assets o Objective G.1.4 Participate in regional research activities in the treatment of stormwater runoff, development of new Best Management Practices, and protection of natural resources. • Goal 4 (G.4) – Promote the recovery of Lake Sammamish kokanee and other threatened or endangered salmonids. o Action G.4.2.B – Support Kokanee Work Group Blueprint and WRIA 8 Implementation Plan Projects. • Goal 7 (G.7) - Coordinate surface and stormwater management services with neighboring jurisdictions o Objective G.7.1 Coordinate with other jurisdictions to discuss regionally significant topics and cross-watershed issues. CITY OF SAMMAMISH WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO. 2019 - ____ ______________________________________________________________________ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SAMMAMISH, WASHINGTON, FOR LAKE SAMMAMISH WATERSHED INVESTIGATIONS AND KOKANEE SALMON RECOVERY ACTIONS WHEREAS, the Parties share an interest and responsibility for addressing long-term watershed planning and conservation for the Lake Sammamish Watershed, which lies within the aboriginal territory of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe; and WHEREAS, a population of kokanee salmon is native to this watershed, along with other species of salmon and trout, that are historically significant to the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and other Indian tribes for fishing and cultural purposes; and WHEREAS, the Parties have a shared interest in preserving habitat for salmon and trout species in the Lake Sammamish Watershed; and WHEREAS, kokanee salmon have resided in the Lake Sammamish Watershed since time immemorial for thousands of years, and in recent times their populations have declined significantly in abundance, diversity, and distribution; and WHEREAS, the Parties recognize and respect the present-day and historic importance of kokanee salmon to cultural, economic, and customary purposes, including tribal customs; and WHEREAS, since 2007, the Parties have participated as voluntary members of the Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group (KWG) to develop kokanee recovery strategies and coordinate with all local, state, federal, and tribal agencies as well as non-governmental organizations; and WHEREAS, the Parties recognize their participation in the Agreement demonstrates their commitment to proactively working to address habitat recovery needs of Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon; and WHEREAS, the Parties recognize that jurisdictional efforts, including habitat restoration, land protection, and regulatory, operational, and educational programs help support the habitat and continued survival of kokanee salmon; and WHEREAS, the Parties have an interest in maximizing the achievement of multiple benefits by integrating salmon recovery planning and actions with those supporting floodplain management, water quality, open space, and recreation; and WHEREAS,