SWM highlights notable projects and wins for residents in 2023





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Conservation and Natural Resources, Surface Water Management - Utility News header




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SWM and DCNR Highlight Accomplishments in 2022 Annual Report

In the second year as a new county department, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) collaborated to provide a variety of services to Snohomish County residents, businesses, and visitors through its stewardship of Snohomish County’s natural resources. The 2022 DCNR Annual Report [ [link removed] ]provides an overview of some of the department’s top accomplishments, though it is challenging to communicate the full extent this work has contributed to improving the quality of life for Snohomish County residents. The department is comprised of the Surface Water Management Division (SWM), the Parks & Recreation Division, the Office of Agriculture, and the Office of Energy & Sustainability (OES). 

 See SWM’s 2022 project highlights here [ [link removed] ] and visit our SWM News page [ [link removed] ] to see Highlights Reports from past years.  

SWM 2022 Annual Highlights Report - cover

"SWM’s 2022 Annual Highlights feature key programs and progress achieved in the last year. "

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Completed Cutthroat Creek Project Restores Stream Channel Habitat for Salmon

In late 2022, SWM restored 1,100 feet of stream habitat on Cutthroat Creek, a tributary to Little Bear Creek that is located within the county’s Carousel Ranch Community Park site. This project was identified as a top priority for in-stream restoration in the Little Bear Creek Basin Plan (2017). 

The Cutthroat Creek Habitat project re-establishes natural riparian vegetation and increases the amount of in-stream habitat for all life stages of coho, Chinook salmon and steelhead, which are present in the main stem of Little Bear Creek. SWM engineers and habitat biologists collaborated on the design to deliver benefits that include reduced sediment transport, increased habitat complexity, reconnection to the floodplain, and restored ecosystem processes. 

Learn more on the Cutthroat Creek project webpage [ [link removed] ]. 

Invasive vegetation was removed to access the Cutthroat Creek channel.

"Invasive vegetation was removed to access the Cutthroat Creek channel."

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Dedicated Volunteers Help SWM Control Invasive Plants in Lakes Goodwin & Shoecraft

In 1996 three Snohomish County residents stepped up and took action to control Eurasian watermilfoil, a highly invasive aquatic plant that was plaguing two of the County’s largest recreational lakes - Lake Goodwin and Lake Shoecraft. These volunteers are still at it and Karen Thompson, Bruce Black and Craig Thompson have each served 27 years and have been instrumental in the successful control of milfoil. This effort is especially important as local residents pay a charge each year specifically to fund the work with additional support coming from SWM.  

Today, milfoil levels are kept very low. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to completely eradicate the plant, and new invasives like fragrant waterlily are also a threat, so annual work must continue. Learn more on the project website [ [link removed] ].  

A big thank you goes out to the time and dedication of these volunteers as well as all who have served! 

Karen Thompson - SWM Lakes volunteer

"Karen Thompson not only served 27 years on the invasive plant advisory committee, but also volunteered for 15 years as a lake water quality monitor."

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Sustainable Lands Strategy Partners Celebrate Successes at Farm-to-Table Dinner

On March 30, the Sustainable Land Strategy (SLS) [ [link removed] ]held its Farm-to-Table Dinner at the Sonneveldt Vineyard in Monroe. The event was funded by Ecology’s Floodplains by Design program and hosted by the Snohomish Conservation District in partnership with Snohomish County, the Tulalip Tribes, and other SLS partners.  

Event highlights included the first screening of "Life in the Floodplain" ([link removed] [ [link removed] ]), a short film that features local voices describing the challenges and benefits of living in a dynamic landscape. After the film premiere, a number of SLS partners spoke about the importance of floodplain resources to their families, communities, and cultural traditions, with all emphasizing the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation between fish, farm, and flood management stakeholders. Tom Teigen spoke on behalf of Snohomish County, expressing support and gratitude for the collaborative efforts of SLS partners and highlighting some of SWM’s ongoing work, including our Community Floodplains Solutions [ [link removed]. ] program and the  Shinglebolt Slough Restoration Project [ [link removed] ].  

SLS Farm-to-Table Dinner - Mar2023

"Visit farmfishflood.org [ [link removed] ]to learn more about the collaborative work being done by SLS partners in Snohomish County. "

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Annual Plan Outlines County Actions to Manage Stormwater and Protect Water Quality

You may know that Snohomish County operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) municipal stormwater permit, which is required to comply with the federal Clean Water Act. 

Want to know the County’s plan to meet NPDES permit requirements and protect clean water this year? Check out the 2023 Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMP) on the NPDES webpage [ [link removed] ]. You can also review the 2022 Annual Report there and submit feedback by emailing us at Contact-NPDES <[email protected]>.  

Puget Sound Starts Here - storm drain

"Each of us can take actions to prevent pollution and help protect Puget Sound."

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Natural Lawn Care Offers Easy Practices For Healthy Lawns, Families and Environment  

Overuse of lawn pesticides and fertilizers is contaminating our local waters. The good news is you can grow a healthy, beautiful lawn with six easy natural lawn care practices: 


* Mow higher, regularly, and leave the clippings.  
* Use “natural organic” or “slow release” fertilizer in September or May. 
* Water deeply, but less frequently. Or let lawns go dormant in summer. 
* Improve lawns with aeration, overseeding, and compost topdressing. 
* Avoid pesticides – use least-toxic alternatives. 
* Consider lawn alternatives in shade, on slopes, and near waterways. 

To learn more visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/lawn [ [link removed] ]. 

Choose Phosphorus-Free Fertilizer - photo

"Find phosphorus-free fertilizer by looking for a “zero in the middle” of the bag’s label."

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*Upcoming Public Events and Workshops*

Learn more about upcoming SWM co-sponsored events and workshops on our events webpage [ [link removed] ].  


* *Earth Day – Saturday, April 22*: April 22 is Earth Day – but you can celebrate all month long! Check out fun events and cleanup opportunities across the county: [link removed] [ [link removed] ] 
Every Day is Earth Day - pic

"Every Day is Earth Day in Snohomish County! "

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3000 Rockefeller Ave. · Everett, WA 98201 · (425) 388-3411



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