Redmond to continue Washington Conservation Corps crews for habitat restoration under $289,380 agreement

Public works staff asked the Committee of the Whole on Sept. 2 to place on the Sept. 16 consent agenda an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology to support participation in the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) for the 2025–2026 service year at a total cost of $289,380 funded through the stormwater operations budget.

Deputy Director Chris Stenger and Senior Environmental Scientist Tom Hardy said the WCC crew maintains approximately 100 acres of stream and habitat restoration sites and helps the city meet shoreline and stormwater permit requirements. The agreement supports a six‑member crew for 42 weeks, plus an additional four weeks this year to address large‑scale noxious weed removal and tree planting.

Council members asked about the WCC’s weed‑management techniques and herbicide use. Hardy said the crew follows integrated pest management and prioritizes non‑chemical methods (manual removal, mechanical tools and cultural plantings). For large patches of certain noxious weeds such as poison hemlock and knotweed, staff said the crew uses imazapyr; the city changed practices several years ago to avoid glyphosate. Hardy also said the WCC supervisor checks with city staff before applying herbicide.

Stenger said he had just received confirmation from the Department of Ecology that AmeriCorps funding would be available this year, which will provide a subsidy to the program.

Committee members expressed support for the program’s restoration work and public engagement value; no objections were recorded to placing the agreement on the Sept. 16 consent agenda.