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Tumwater committee moves Bush Prairie HCP phase‑4 amendment to June 2 council consideration
Summary
The General Government Committee voted May 20 to place amendment one to the Bush Prairie Habitat Conservation Plan service‑provider agreement with ICF Jones & Stokes LLC on the June 2 council consideration calendar so project staff can present budget slides and fiscal notes; staff described a funding package and an August target for Department of Fish and Wildlife review.
Council Member Sorca moved and the committee approved placing amendment one to the service‑provider agreement with ICF Jones & Stokes LLC for phase 4 of the Bush Prairie Habitat Conservation Plan on the June 2, 2026 City Council consideration calendar, citing the need for a fuller presentation to clarify funding numbers and schedule.
The staff presenter said the draft HCP is currently under review by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, with that review expected to finish by August 2026 and the city to begin the environmental impact statement (EIS) afterward. Staff said phase 4 work requires roughly $445,000 to complete implementation tasks including SEPA/NEPA compliance and related studies.
On funding, staff described a tentative package that included $20,000 in phase‑4 grant funds, a $100,000 request from the general government fund, $80,000 already budgeted in the community development department, $220,000 pledged by the Port of Olympia via an interlocal agreement, and an additional $45,000 city contribution. Council Member Brandon Weeden pressed for clearer fiscal notes and a slide presentation so the council would have the full numbers in front of them.
"We're going to place amendment one to the service provider agreement with ICF Jones & Stokes LLC for phase 4 of the Bush Prairie Habitat Conservation Plan on the June 2, 2026 City Council consideration calendar with a recommendation to approve and authorize the mayor to sign," Council Member Sorca said during the motion.
Staff committed to add slides and written fiscal notes for the June 2 council meeting so the council can see the funding breakdown and the city’s requested share before taking a final vote. The committee recorded the motion to move the item to consideration and approved it by voice vote; no final contract authorization occurred at the committee level on May 20.
Timeline and next steps: staff expects the Department of Fish and Wildlife review to be complete by August 2026, after which work on the EIS would begin; the committee asked that Brad (project lead) present slides and the clarified fiscal notes at the June 2 council meeting.
