Port Commission Adopts Habitat Restoration Plan

Lower Duwamish River Habitat Restoration Plan balances community and business needs on essential economic waterway

Port of Seattle Commissioners this week adopted the Lower Duwamish River Habitat Restoration Plan, which provides a framework on how port-owned portions of Duwamish River shoreline will combine commercial and residential areas with natural habitat.

“The Port Commission wanted a solution that preserved jobs and restored habitat on the Duwamish,” said Commission President Bill Bryant. “This plan does that.”

The plan underwent a lengthy public outreach process spanning from March 2008 to January 2009, and included a broad coalition of community stakeholders, which included a wide range of interests that have been in the area for decades.

“The Port was very inclusive in its outreach, and this plan is a well-done document that gives the neighborhoods and business community a sense of opportunity for habitat restoration on the Duwamish,” said Kevin Burrell, Executive Director of th Environmental Coalition of South Seattle (ECOSS), an organization involved in the planning process.

The study area for the plan is the 4.6 miles of navigable river extending upstream from Harbor Island. It includes port-owned shoreline sections as well as the upland port terminal properties. After extensive community outreach, the plan identified 31 potential habitat restoration sites along the river, and represents almost 60% of Duwamish shoreline designated for habitat.

The Port of Seattle chose to undertake this project over a year ago to provide leadership amongst river stakeholders, with the goal of reconciling the needs for habitat creation and protection with the commercial needs of this working waterfront.

To view the latest version of the plan, go to: www.portseattle.org/downloads/community/environment/Final_MP_book_20090116.pdf