Firework Tips, Invasive Mudsnails, $10M Grant for CFS, Ag Tech and more





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




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Reminder: Practice Good Firework Housekeeping for Water Quality

Fireworks have heavy metals, perchlorate and other pollutants that can harm people and the environment. The chemicals in fireworks can pollute our rivers, lakes, and streams when fireworks are detonated over waterbodies and when firework waste is not disposed of properly. See our list of good housekeeping tips  [ [link removed] ]for this Fourth of July holiday.

Visit the Snohomish County Fire Marshall’s webpage [ [link removed] ] for information on where it is legal and illegal to discharge fireworks and tips to keep safe. If you have questions or would like to report a water pollution concern, please call the Water Quality Complaint Hotline at 425-388-6481 or use the on-line water pollution reporting system. [ [link removed] ]

Firework_Woman_Holding_Sparkler

"Help us keep local waterways healthy by practicing good firework housekeeping."

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Help Us Stop the Spread of Invasive New Zealand Mud Snails

Recent surveys by SWM’s State of Our Waters (SOW) monitoring team detected a highly invasive species, the New Zealand mud snail [ [link removed] ], in several local creeks in north Snohomish County near Stanwood:


* Hulbert Creek
* Jorgenson Slough 
* Freedom Creek 
* Douglas Creek

These tiny creatures – only 1/8 inch long – can hide on plants, watercraft, debris, boots, shoes, nets, and more. Once established, New Zealand mud snails are extremely difficult to control, and threaten food sources for salmon, steelhead and trout. You can help stop the spread of these aquatic hitchhikers and other harmful invasive species. Be sure you CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY your boat, kayak, and all gear before leaving a body of water. Learn more at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

NZ_MudSnail_Warning_Signs

"Look for signs like these at boat launches, trail crossings and other access points to help stop the spread of invasive species. "

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Fourth Floodplains by Design $10M Grant Supports CFS Program and Continued Collaboration

On July 1, Snohomish County was awarded our fourth Floodplains by Design (FbD) grant for SWM’s Community Floodplains Solutions (CFS) Program [ [link removed] ] totaling $10M. Grant benefits include:


* *Increasing functional habitat and floodplain connections while reducing flooding impacts to local infrastructure*: $1.1 million supports the Chinook Marsh [ [link removed] ]project, reconnecting more than 400 acres of floodplain habitat while protecting critical infrastructure like the City of Everett water line.
* *Protecting and enhancing farmland productivity*: $1 million supports the Office of Agriculture’s Ag Tech Program [ [link removed] ] (see article below), bringing leading-edge technology and data driven insights to local farmers at no cost.
* *Strengthening community through collaboration*: Nearly $4.5 million will be passed through to grant partners to advance important floodplain projects, including the Tulalip Tribes, Snohomish Conservation District, Washington Farmland Trust, Ducks Unlimited, and Adopt A Stream Foundation. The remaining $3.3 million will support the CFS program and projects that Snohomish County is implementing.

Read the full press release here [ [link removed] ].

ChinookMarshPartners_Aug2024

"SWM staff and partners discuss the Chinook Marsh project onsite in August 2024."

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Snohomish County Office of Agriculture Launched Ag Tech Program

The Snohomish County Ag Tech Program [ [link removed] ] brings leading-edge technology and data-driven insights to farmers at no cost to the producer. Farmers can borrow available technologies to enhance productivity, optimize resource use, and promote sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring regional food security. By using only what farmer’s crops need, farmers can reduce their use of water, fertilizer and other inputs. This project was made possible by funding from Washington State’s Department of Ecology Floodplains By Design grant program.

Due to the funding sources of this program, it is currently only available to commercial farmers in the Snohomish watershed.

Ag_Tech_Soil_Sensor

"A soil moisture sensor being installed in a field prior to planting."

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We Want Your input on Our Stormwater Programs

We prepare the Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) Plan [ [link removed] ] annually. The 2025 SWMP Plan describes the activities and programs the county will carry out to meet the requirements of the stormwater permit for the calendar year. If you would like to provide comments on the actions and programs described in the SWMP Plan please email us at: [email protected]

Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) Plan
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"Snohomish County prepares the annual SWMP Plan to comply with federal clean water laws outlined in the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit."

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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] ].

Youth Beach Cleanup July 2025
* *Youth Beach Cleanup | Join Us in Protecting Our Shores*

You’re Invited to join Snohomish County Councilmember Nate Nehring and the WSU Beach Watchers of Snohomish County for a fun and meaningful beach cleanup event at beautiful Kayak Point Park. Help keep our Puget Sound beaches clean and turn the day into a family outing. Children are encouraged to attend and participate.


* *When: Saturday, July 12*
* *Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm*
* *Where:* Kayak Point Park – Stanwood, WA

Gloves, supplies and light refreshments provided. Dress for the weather. For more information, contact Councilmember Nehring’s office at [email protected].

Climate Resilience Open House
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*Help Shape Snohomish County’s Communitywide Climate Resiliency Plan*

Climate change is already affecting Snohomish County — from stronger storms to hotter, drier summers. We're inviting community members like you to learn about the top local climate impacts and share your priorities for how we can better protect our communities, businesses, ecosystems, and infrastructure. 


* *When: Wednesday, July 30 *
* *Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm *
* *Where: *Student Center at Mariner High School (200 120th St SW, Everett, WA 98204) 

Snacks and refreshments provided. Youth and children are welcome!

Snohomish County is developing a Communitywide Climate Resiliency Plan (CwCRP) [ [link removed] ] to make sure that we are prepared for a changing climate. 


* *Septic System Care Workshop – Available On-Demand!*
* The popular Septic Care Workshop is now hosted by the Snohomish County Health Department, your go-to resource for questions about:
* septic system permitting,
* operation and maintenance requirements, and
* finding certified septic system contractors.

* Taking the workshop also makes you eligible to earn up to $500 in rebates and can help your property become LakeWise [ [link removed] ]
* Visit the Savvy Septic Program website [ [link removed] ] to learn more.

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



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