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Committee advances Delridge Native Forest acquisition authority for up to four acres
Summary
Seattle Parks sought and received committee approval to authorize the superintendent to acquire up to four acres in the Delridge Native Forest to protect and expand restoration work; councilmembers asked for continued community and tribal engagement and the committee voted 4-0 to send the ordinance to full council.
Seattle Parks told the committee it seeks blanket authority to acquire up to four acres within defined boundaries of the Delridge Native Forest to preserve and expand recent restoration work. Parks staff said the Delridge Native Forest restoration has resulted in approximately 3.5 acres of debris removal and 423 native shrubs planted and highlighted partnerships with SDOT, the Green Seattle Partnership, the Muckleshoot Tribe and local community groups.
Lise Ward explained the acquisition authority would let the superintendent negotiate purchases and escrow instruments for privately owned parcels within the identified geographic boundaries, and staff emphasized the authority is limited (up to four acres) and is intended to enable timely preservation of adjoining parcels as they become available. Parks staff said replacement-property transactions related to Sound Transit would not be covered by the blanket authority and would return to council if proposed.
Councilmembers asked about outreach and tribal consultation. Staff said a May tree-walk outreach event occurred, that the Muckleshoot Tribe had been engaged for stewardship and federal-grant purposes required a federally recognized tribe, and that Parks planned to continue outreach with Duwamish Tribal Services and other local stakeholders. The committee moved and seconded the bill and voted 4-0 to forward the ordinance to full council.
