Port Orchard secures Ecology grant, hires consultant for stormwater plan and accepts Bay Street construction easements
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Summary
City staff told the council it won a $120,000 WA Ecology stormwater capacity grant, recommended Herrera Environmental for a stormwater action-plan update, and the council approved three temporary construction easements to advance the SR 166/Bay Street improvement project.
At its Jan. 13 meeting the Port Orchard City Council approved several interlocking stormwater steps: (1) authorization to contract with Herrera Environmental Consultants to update the city's stormwater action plan required by the Western Washington Phase 2 municipal stormwater permit; (2) acceptance of a $120,000 stormwater capacity grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology; and (3) adoption of three temporary construction easements needed to bid and build the SR 166/Bay Street improvement project.
Public works staff explained why each action is necessary. "The city of Port Orchard must submit an updated stormwater management plan, our SNAP, by 03/31/2027 as required by the Western Washington phase 2 municipal stormwater permit," Mr. Ryan said, and staff reported Herrera was selected through an RFQ-based evaluation as the most qualified firm for the SNAP update.
When discussing the Ecology grant, Mr. Ryan said the city had been awarded $120,000 under the department's biennial stormwater capacity grants program “with no local match required,” and he outlined eligible uses: operational and maintenance work, program administration, permit compliance, public education and outreach, training and equipment to improve system performance. Council members reviewed the grant packet and asked staff to prioritize public education topics, including fireworks debris in storm drains.
To enable the Bay Street (SR 166) reconstruction, staff presented three temporary construction easements from adjacent property owners (listed in staff's memo) that will permit excavation, utility and sidewalk work; easements expire Nov. 30, 2026. Council discussed outreach and traffic-management plans for the project and approved the easements by voice vote.
Taken together, the actions position the city to proceed with planning, public outreach and design that staff said are needed to meet permit milestones and prepare for construction in spring/summer 2026.
