A major milestone is in the books for Clean Water Healthy Habitat, King County Executive Dow Constantine’s environmental initiative launched in September 2019 to better align the outstanding work we do throughout King County government to achieve better results faster for all living things in King County.

Executive Constantine last month announced completion of the Clean Water Healthy Habitat Strategic Plan (SharePoint link), saying it was shaped by expert employee advice that strengthened the strategic plan and turned an aspirational concept into a roadmap with clear direction and measurable goals.

“I am immensely proud of the inspiring work that our professionals do each day to protect water quality and habitat in our region,” Executive Constantine said. “Clean Water Healthy Habitat is an opportunity to unite our efforts – in wastewater, stormwater, land conservation, fish passage, habitat restoration, and more – to produce results at a watershed level within a single generation rather than next century.”

Employees are invited to check out the strategic plan, which is based on these principles:

• Just as we do in all our work, we will ensure that each action we take and each investment we make helps dismantle the systemic racism that persists here in King County. When we protect water quality, preserve green space, plant trees, restore habitat, and de-pave surfaces, we will act first in the BIPOC communities where the need is greatest.
• We will capitalize on the intellectual firepower our region is known for around the world, including the trusted scientists we have on our staff. We will base our decisions on the latest advancements in science and technology so we can address the greatest threats to water quality and habitat today.
• We will break the silos between departments and divisions so that we have a cohesive approach that produces results at a regionwide scale rather than individual actions focused on narrow outcomes. 

Executive Constantine encourages employees to seize this opportunity to challenge the status quo, to embrace innovation, to offer creative solutions, and to transform the way we operate so we can deliver the best results sooner for the people, salmon, and orcas of King County and Puget Sound.

If you have questions about the initiative, check out the Clean Water Healthy Habitat website or contact Environmental Affairs Officer Abby Hook.