Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Tumwater, and Thurston Conservation District’s South Sound GREEN Stormwater Education
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Tumwater, and Thurston Conservation District’s South Sound GREEN Stormwater Education.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Tumwater, and Thurston Conservation District’s South Sound GREEN Stormwater Education.
Staff Contact:
Timmie Maturan-Lee, Environmental Services Supervisor, Public Works, 360.742.2620
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
Thurston County and the Cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater are required, under the Phase II Municipal Stormwater General permit, to provide education to the public, including school aged children, on sources of pollution to storm and surface water and create opportunities for environmental stewardship. To meet this goal, the City partners with the Thurston Conservation District, who have provided watershed education to students grades 4 -12 specific to South Puget Sound, for over 30 years.
Students learn how human actions can impact water quality and local industries, such as shellfish harvesting, through engagement in hands-on science and engineering practices aligned with state learning standards.
Programming integrates classroom instruction, field investigations, and community-based restoration projects to reinforce applied learning. The focus on proximity nurtures a strong connection to our unique, local environment and provides real world experience to the community.
This regional partnership model allows participating jurisdictions to share costs, reduce duplication of services, and deliver a high-quality, science-based curriculum more efficiently than if each agency operated independently.
Climate Analysis:
Changing climate conditions is part of the core water quality testing curriculum where participants learn how reduced summer stream flows, increasing water temperature, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events can impact water quality and aquatic habitat.
During 2025, the professional development event for teachers was held at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Olympia, WA with the theme: “Climate Resilience: Ecology & Community in South Puget Sound”. The workshop focused on equipping educators with tools to incorporate climate science, watershed resilience, and community adaptation strategies into classroom instruction.
Students participated in habitat restoration projects at Squaxin Park and local farms to remove invasive species near flowing water and plant native shrubs and trees. These activities supported Olympia goals to manage forests and other ecosystems, as well as preserving urban tree canopy for shade and reducing urban heat island effects.
Equity Analysis:
South Sound GREEN programming currently reaches 15 out of 21 schools within the Olympia School District. Equity is a high consideration within the organization’s strategic and annual work plans and is discussed during advisory committee meetings held every 2 months to close service equity gaps. The program prioritizes expanding access to underserved and rural schools, reducing financial and logistical barriers to participation, and ensuring culturally relevant and place-based learning opportunities. One of the main focuses for the 2026 - 2031 agreement period is to expand program opportunities to “rural” schools such as East Olympia Elementary, while sustaining current programming.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
During the last five years of our Interlocal Agreement, 10,788 students across 15 Olympia schools experienced hands-on watershed education in the field and classroom. These experiences included water quality monitoring, nearshore field exploration, action projects, and home science activities; even during the height of the COVID pandemic.
South Sound GREEN programming also provides professional development to teachers so they may continue watershed education in their classrooms. 84 unique teachers within the Olympia School District participated in Water Quality Monitoring and Salmon Habitat Restoration workshops.
The City has partnered with South Sound GREEN for over 30 years to engage thousands of students in stormwater education. Demonstrating support of the long-term relationship and impactful presence in the Olympia community, 608 local volunteers dedicated 1,373 hours to field experiences during the last agreement cycle. This sustained volunteer participation reflects broad community interest in environmental stewardship and youth education.
Financial Impact:
The proposed Interlocal Agreement spans 5 years, from 2026 - 2031. The starting amount for 2026 is $19,656 and increases by 5% annually to account for material and staff cost inflation. Olympia’s total contribution, over the life of the agreement, is $108,109. These expenses are covered in the Stormwater Utility’s operating budget each year,
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Tumwater, and Thurston Conservation District’s South Sound GREEN Stormwater Education.
2. Modify the Interlocal Agreement. Council may approve the agreement with modifications to funding, term, or scope. Modification could reduce program capacity, delay implementation, or affect South Sound GREEN’s ability to secure matching funds. Changes would require coordination with partner jurisdictions.
3. Do not approve the Resolution. The City would need to independently meet stormwater education permit requirements, Olympia would lose regional cost-sharing benefits, and students and teachers would lose access to established watershed education programming.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement
2021-2025 ILA Report