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Council authorizes mayor to sign WRIA 8 and WRIA 9 interlocal agreements for salmon recovery coordination
Summary
After a staff presentation on salmon recovery work and watershed plans, the council authorized the mayor to sign updated interlocal agreements for Water Resource Inventory Areas 8 and 9 to continue regional funding, governance and project coordination for salmon habitat work.
The Kent City Council on April 1 voted to authorize the mayor to sign interlocal agreements (ILAs) for Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 and WRIA 9, continuing the city’s participation in regional salmon-recovery coordination and grant prioritization.
Environmental Engineering Manager Mike Matusis presented combined background on WRIA 8 (Cedar/Lake Washington/Sammamish system) and WRIA 9 (Green River watershed), noting the city participates in both watershed management efforts and that the WRIA 8 contribution for Kent in 2025 is modest while WRIA 9 annual contribution is larger (transcript cites $246 for WRIA 8 and $76,000 for WRIA 9 in the current program year). He outlined the history of ILAs (initial 2001 agreement, two subsequent 10‑year agreements), the planned 2026–2035 ILA term, shared governance forums and the role of the ILAs in funding and prioritizing capital projects, science and monitoring.
Matusis reviewed recent outcomes and projects: the city has leveraged millions in grant funding through WRIA programs over the past decade (transcript references roughly $8.8 million in grants to the city over 10 years and $6.2 million and $5.6 million distributed in the most recent year for WRIA 8 and 9 respectively), and highlighted local projects including the Lower Russell Habitat Area A and Boeing Rock restoration. He described biological monitoring showing differing Chinook returns in the two watersheds and noted the Howard Hansen Dam fish passage project (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers schedule) will open more upstream habitat in the Green River watershed.
Council discussion included praise for the ongoing local habitat work and a question about elected representation on WRIA committees; Matusis said staff will continue to staff meetings and a position is available. The motions to authorize the mayor to sign each ILA—both subject to final terms acceptable to the public works director and city attorney—were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally.
Next steps: staff will finalize ILA language with the public works director and city attorney and continue watershed coordination, project prioritization and grant submittals under the new ILA terms.
