Clogged, not forgotten: The hidden reality when you flush wipes
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories It’s two in the morning when Brian White’s phone rings. A fellow operator at West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle is calling with bad news: The Hidden Lake Pump Station in Shoreline is rapidly losing capacity. If the problem continues, it could lead to a sewer overflow. Within minutes, White, an offsite wastewater operator for West Section, is out of bed and behind the wheel, heading into the darkness to protect public health and Puget Sound. Read more.
‘Salmon SEEson’ turns 20: Spot fish coming home to spawn in King County rivers and streams
Crossposted from DNRP Field Notes This year marks the 20th anniversary of Salmon SEEson, King County’s program helping people watch one of the Pacific Northwest’s greatest natural events; salmon returning from the open ocean to the same streams where they hatched to spawn the next generation. Each fall, chinook, coho, sockeye, and chum salmon, along with the Lake Sammamish kokanee, a native and genetically distinct freshwater population found nowhere else, make their way back to rivers and creeks throughout King County. Read more.
Growing new beginnings at CitySoil Farm
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories At our CitySoil Farm at South Treatment Plant in Renton, growing culturally relevant veggies and fruits to feed the community is only part of the story. Throughout the summer, another kind of growth takes root: young people building confidence, learning new skills, and discovering new possibilities for their futures. Since 2013, Sea Mar Renacer and the King County Wastewater Treatment Division have been working together to create meaningful educational experiences for youth participating in Renacer’s rehabilitation program. Together, the partnership demonstrates how environmental stewardship and community well-being can go hand in… Read More
Wildfire smoke in our region
Smoky air from wildfires is expected in our region this week. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, the agency that oversees outdoor air quality, is reporting air quality levels will likely be MODERATE to UNHEALTHY for sensitive groups for the first half of the week. Wildfire smoke can cause a range of health problems, including chest pain, coughing, fast heartbeat, headaches, and asthma attacks. Some groups are more sensitive to smoke, including: Children and teens People with asthma, lung or heart disease, diabetes, or who have had a heart attack or stroke Anyone who is pregnant Anyone older than 65 People who… Read More
Executive Zahilay joins summer gathering for kokanee salmon recovery partners amid hopeful signs of progress
Crossposted from Field Notes King County Executive Girmay Zahilay kicked off a summer gathering of the Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group amid hopeful signs of a sustainable recovery for a native salmon species that is important to the region’s history and habitat. Hosted at the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe’s new Harvest Kitchen in Snoqualmie, the partners provided an update on actions they have taken in recent years to ensure the survival of the freshwater kokanee and previewed actions they will take next. The gathering occurred 18 months after King County biologists reported a surge in the number… Read More
“GoGreen” event unites employees in conservation efforts
King County Parks recently hosted its annual “GoGreen” night on July 22, at the Movies at Marymoor showing of “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.” The event brought together a variety of King County units working on sustainability initiatives. Since moviegoers often arrive well before showtime, it was the perfect opportunity for these groups to connect with many community members. Teams attending the event included the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Climate Preparedness Office, DNRP Hazardous Waste in collaboration with Public Health and Seattle Public Utilities, DNRP Solid Waste, DNRP Wastewater Treatment, Department of Executive Services (DES) Office… Read More
King County ETP E-bike subsidy pilot
Interested in leasing or purchasing an e-bike? The King County Employee Transportation Program (ETP) is accepting applications for an e-bike subsidy program with lease to own options (up to 12 month lease subsidy with credits that can be applied towards purchase). Multiple vendors and e-bikes are available from Ridepanda, Rybit, Wombi. Apply here at tinyurl.com/kcebikes. Spaces are limited, but if selected, you will receive a follow up email with concierge support to help identify which bike and vendor may work best for you. Options to purchase during or at the end of your lease will… Read More
Progress on extreme heat preparedness five years after fatal heat dome
Crossposted from Field Notes Five years after the Pacific Northwest Heat Dome that led to 34 heat-related deaths in King County, our staff continues to work with partner agencies and communities to better prepare our region for extreme heat. Guided by King County’s Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy, we’ve made progress on multiple fronts to help people stay safe and promote more equitable access to healthy tree canopy. Read more.
Mystery on the Green River: What killed these young salmon?
Crossposted from Headwaters A cold April rain fell on the Green River but the research carried on. Chris Gregersen and Dan Lantz, ecologists from King County’s Science Section, floated down the river’s mainstem and poked into its tributaries listening for loud, electronic beeps from their tracking antennas. Each beep meant a juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) – previously tagged by our team or other researchers – was swimming below. Every beep was a reason to celebrate, especially in weather like this. But as they paddled up Kent’s Mill Creek in search of more… Read More
Celebrate American wetlands this month!
Crossposted from Headwaters Each May, we celebrate American Wetlands Month to shine a light on these special ecosystems that provide clean water, flood protection, and critical habitat for plants, fish, and wildlife. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetland Inventory Program, a vital tool for tracking wetlands across the United States, including right here in King County. You can learn more about this work and check out status and trends in the NWI’s 50th anniversary Storymap. The NWI includes a wetland inventory that was developed by King County and adopted by… Read More
Employee News 