SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., August 9, 2023 – Snohomish County’s Community Floodplain Solutions (CFS) program has received a third grant of $9.9 million from the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Floodplains by Design (FbD) program. CFS Phase 3 is the continuation of integrated floodplain management work that was funded by two previous FbD grants, primarily in the Skykomish River near the cities of Sultan and Monroe.
Phase 3 funding will advance many of the Phase 1 and 2 capital actions to construction, including several projects aimed at reducing flood risk, restoring habitat for endangered species act (ESA)-listed salmon, and enhancing agricultural resilience. This next phase for CFS will also further develop a pipeline of reach-scale actions throughout Snohomish Basin, including in the Snohomish Estuary, Snohomish River and the Lower Skykomish River.
“Snohomish County appreciates the State of Washington’s support through this grant and looks forward to joining with our partners to continue this essential work,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “Mitigating flood risk and restoring salmon habitat has broad benefits across our community and economy. This project supports some key community priorities like climate resilience, flood protection, agricultural and economic vitality, and habitat restoration.”
“Integrated Floodplain Management requires years of planning and cooperation between multiple agencies and willing landowners,” said Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM) Planning Manager, Erik Stockdale. “This third Floodplains by Design grant builds on a strong foundation of collaboration to help bring relief to flood-impacted residents and local farmers while also supporting endangered fish and wildlife.”
Specific benefits include:
- Increasing ecological function
- Reducing impact to local infrastructure from flooding and sediment transport
- Protecting and enhancing farmland productivity
- Improving water quality and recreational opportunities in the community
“Not only does this funding have the potential to protect over $30 million of property from flood risk, it also supports tremendous economic benefit and local jobs,” said CFS Program Manager, Jessica Hamill. “With a total grant award of more than $9.9 million, CFS Phase 3 will potentially generate over 165 new or sustained jobs and roughly $21.8-$24.5 million in total economic activity, of which $17.4-$19.8 million is expected to stay in Snohomish County.”
Snohomish County’s CFS Phase 3 project ranked third among FbD grant applications submitted across Washington state, affirming that support for this work is a high priority. This cycle of funding brings the total FbD grant funding awarded to Snohomish County for the CFS Program to $23.2 million.
Community Floodplain Solutions (CFS) in Snohomish County is a collaborative effort to keep local farms viable, restore habitat for endangered salmon, and reduce flood impacts for residents. Snohomish County CFS partners (Tulalip Tribes, Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Snohomish Conservation District, and Washington Farmland Trust ) are working with willing landowners to develop a multiple-benefit easement and acquisition strategy along the Skykomish River and beyond that prioritizes properties with the highest risk of repetitive flood loss and the greatest potential for farmland preservation and salmon recovery. CFS program staff are developing an interactive map that highlights active and potential projects, as well as opportunities for landowners to engage with us about other areas. Interested residents should call 425-388-6476, email CFS.info@snoco.org, or visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/CFS to learn more.
About Snohomish County Conservation and Natural Resources
The Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) includes the Division of Surface Water Management; the Division of Parks and Recreation; the Office of Energy and Sustainability and the Office of Agriculture. DCNR works in support of thriving communities; a clean and healthy environment to foster environmental stewardship; ensuring food security; supporting a green economy, and strengthening communities by providing regional parks and infrastructure; protecting the region’s water, air, land and natural habitats; enhancing agriculture and recreation; and reducing flooding. https://snohomishcountywa.gov/5758.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
