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Indicator: Funding for Habitat Protection and Restoration

Data and Data Discussion provided by King County DNRP

King County Water and Land Resources Division Capital Improvement Project Locations

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Upstream Indicators
  •   Urbanization and Impervious Surface Changes --- The number of acres of urban land, clear-cut, and regenerating forest have increased in King County since 1986. Acres of grass and deciduous, mixed and coniferous forest have decreased. Acres of rural forests and privately owned working forests have declined in recent years  (view data graph)
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Downstream Indicators

There are currently no published Downstream Indicators.

Related Goals

Sustainability Snapshot:

Habitat restoration and protection are two of the most important tools we use to conserve our wild lands and the ecological processes that maintain these wild lands. These tools require solid science, planning, political will, public support, landowner willingness, technical expertise and experience and, importantly, money. Individual projects range from hundreds of dollars to multi-million dollar efforts, while large-scale ecosystem recovery efforts such as the Puget Sound Partnership will require hundreds of millions dollars over many years to realize goals for a truly healthy and sustainable Puget Sound ecosystem.

Data Discussion

The Indicator Defined

Amount of funding (public and private) dedicated to habitat restoration and protection in region. The Restoring and Protecting Waterways Capital Investment measure tracks completed project milestones compared those planned.

Data Interpretation/Evaluation

King County's Department of Natural Resources and Parks invests significant financial resources into system improvements of the natural and built environment.    The Water and Land Resource Division has been investing in habitat enhancements and protecting homes and businesses from flooding.

Capital Investment Summary Restoring and Protecting Waterways

Every year, between 25 and 30 percent of King County generated surface water management fees are transferred to its capital budget for large and small projects to improve storm drainage and create or improve streams and wetlands. These projects aim to restore aquatic habitat and to protect public health and safety. Capital funds are also used to leverage grants from other sources and pay debt service on older, bond financed surface and stormwater improvement projects.

In 2007, eleven large habitat restoration and stormwater improvement projects, dozens of smaller projects, and four drainage emergency responses were completed. The Des Moines Creek high-flow bypass was constructed, completing this multi-year, multi-million dollar suite of regional projects that provide regional stormwater detention, improve stream habitat, restore fish passage, and reduce damaging flows from the creek. Water and Land Capital staff did the design work and construction oversight for a consortium including WSDOT, the Port of Seattle, and the Cities of SeaTac and Des Moines. East of Woodinville, the Cold Creek Natural Area Wetland Improvement project was constructed on County-owned land near Cottage Lake. Project costs totaling nearly $700,000 were contributed by the Williams Pipeline Company as mitigation for major natural gas pipeline improvements constructed in northern King County. This project was the first to be completed under the new Mitigation Reserve program created in conjunction with the Critical Areas Ordinance.

2006 results: met ~70% of all planned milestones

2006 target: meet 70% of all planned milestones

2007 results: met 93% of all planned milestones
2007 target: meet 70% of all planned milestones

2008 target: meet 75% of all planned milestones

Data Source and Limitations

Data for the protected land measure is from the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) .  See KINGSTAT Environmental Services Performance Measures.  (http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/measures/performance/es-land-resource-conservation.aspx)

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