Auburn briefed on proposed 10‑year renewal of lead‑entity interlocal agreement for salmon recovery (Rian/RIOT 9)

A representative of Ryan 9, the Green‑Duwamish lead‑entity for salmon recovery, told Auburn City Council on June 9 that partner governments are being asked to renew a multi‑jurisdiction interlocal agreement (ILA) for another 10 years to continue governance and funding of salmon habitat implementation.

Matt Goring, the salmon recovery manager for the watershed, outlined the history and purpose of the ILA, the salmon habitat plan and the lead‑entity framework. He said the ILA provides the governance structure (the watershed ecosystem forum and implementation technical committee), the requirement to approve an annual work plan and budget, and a cost‑share formula that supplies baseline operational funding.

Goring said the total operational funding supported by the ILA is about $600,000 today and Auburn’s share is roughly $35,000. He described project grant funding sources: King County Flood Control District cooperative watershed management funds (the presentation cited $4,200,000 for the year in cooperative watershed funds), state Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration grants (about $1.1 million every other year) and annual state Salmon Recovery Funding Board grants (roughly $300,000 a year). He also summarized long‑term accomplishments credited to watershed coordination: staff said the lead‑entity framework has leveraged over $200 million in investments, supported roughly 3–4 miles of levee set‑backs, 500+ acres of revegetation, about 4.5 miles of marine shoreline conservation and about 1 mile of armored shoreline removal.

Goring reminded council that the Howard Hanson Dam downstream fish‑passage project remains a priority and that federal construction funding for downstream passage saw some budget shifts; he said the Army Corps and Tacoma Water were obligated for downstream fish passage by 2031 and that the project has received substantial funds but that construction scheduling and remaining budget remain subject to federal appropriations.

Council members asked about the benefits of salmon recovery for residents unfamiliar with fisheries issues. Goring described multiple co‑benefits: protection of tribal treaty rights and cultural resources, watershed health and cooling from revegetation that helps reduce urban heat‑island effects, open‑space and recreation benefits, and flood mitigation. Auburn councilors were also reminded that the ILA has required cost shares and an annual approval of workplans and budgets as conditions for participation.

Goring asked Auburn to consider continued participation in the ILA renewal, and staff indicated the item on the packet (Resolution 58 21) was to allow the city to consider executing the 10‑year renewal.