Federal Way Council approves Robert 9 Interlocal Agreement for salmon habitat restoration

The Federal Way Land Use/Transportation Committee meeting on July 7, 2025, spotlighted a critical interlocal agreement aimed at enhancing salmon habitat recovery in the region. Kevin Due, the water quality program supervisor, presented the Robert 9 interlocal agreement, which seeks to secure funding and establish a framework for managing salmon recovery efforts in the Central Puget Sound watershed.

The Robert 9 agreement is pivotal for addressing the decline of Chinook salmon, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 1999. Due highlighted the alarming drop in salmon populations, from 650,000 in the 1870s to just 182 in 2009. However, recent statistics show a promising rebound, with 5,500 Chinook salmon returning in 2022, surpassing the plan's goal of 1,000 to 4,200 by 2025.

The agreement encompasses 117 projects, including two significant initiatives in Federal Way: the Camp Kilworth acquisition, which prevents shoreline development harmful to salmon habitats, and a proposed project at Dashpoint State Park aimed at removing shoreline armoring to enhance wetland areas.

Council members expressed support for the agreement, with a motion to forward it to the consent agenda for approval on July 15, 2025. The city’s financial commitment for 2025 is approximately $32,000, a figure that is recalibrated every three years based on population metrics.

In addition to the salmon recovery efforts, the committee also discussed a pollution prevention assistance partnership with the Department of Ecology. This program, which began in 2007, focuses on providing technical assistance to small businesses that generate hazardous waste. The initiative aims to educate businesses on best practices for waste management and stormwater protection, with the potential for reimbursement from Ecology based on performance.

The committee's discussions reflect a proactive approach to environmental stewardship in Federal Way, emphasizing collaboration and community engagement in preserving local ecosystems and promoting sustainable practices. The anticipated outcomes from these agreements are not only crucial for salmon recovery but also for maintaining the overall health of the region's waterways and habitats.