Published February 24 2015
Big Chinook salmon still swim up Kelsey Creek, through the backyards of Bellevue residences, and the city is doing its part to make sure the threatened species continues returning to its native stream.
The City Council on Monday reviewed progress since Bellevue signed a 10-year agreement with 27 other local governments to support recovery efforts for Puget Sound Chinook salmon in the Lake Washington-Cedar River-Sammamish River watershed. Bellevue and other cities are being asked to renew the interlocal agreement for another 10 years.
Chinook were listed for protection in 1999 under the federal Endangered Species Act. In response, Bellevue and the other jurisdictions came together, formulated a recovery plan, and began to implement the plan in 2006. Working collectively has allowed the cities to identify and address watershed health issues, and has allowed them to retain local control, rather than having the federal government direct salmon recovery efforts.
Since 2012, Bellevue has spent more than $17.5 million on salmon habitat restoration. The work includes: improved fish passage at six culverts, such as the recently completed Coal Creek Parkway project; a Mercer Slough fish ladder and nine weirs; a mile of in-stream and streamside vegetation improvements; and reducing invasive knotweed throughout Kelsey and Sunset creeks.
Bellevue also conducts extensive outreach efforts and coordinates a Salmon Watchers program for stream monitoring.
While many of the Bellevue projects have the added benefits of replacing failing infrastructure, reducing flooding or stabilizing erosion, the actions also benefit jurisdictions throughout the watershed by supporting the overall Chinook recovery effort. However, results of the efforts have been mixed. Although there is evidence that Chinook populations are increasing elsewhere in the watershed, Kelsey Creek populations continue to decline.
Under the interlocal agreement, which is overseen by three staff members housed at King County, the total budget for the recovery effort for the area that includes Bellevue in 2015 was $541,900, based on population; Bellevue's portion was $52,487. Tasks include coordinating the work of a Salmon Recovery Council (Councilmember John Stokes is Bellevue's representative), providing technical support, coordinating grant applications and implementing the recovery plan.
The council will likely consider an updated interlocal agreement at a meeting in July. Final action is expected by the end of 2015. Maps and more information about Chinook salmon recovery efforts is available online.