Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, the Squaxin Island Tribe, Thurston County, the City of Olympia, the City of Tumwater, the Port of Olympia, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, the Squaxin Island Tribe, Thurston County, the City of Olympia, the City of Tumwater, the Port of Olympia, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project.
Report
Issue:
Whether to Approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, the Squaxin Island Tribe, Thurston County, the City of Olympia, the City of Tumwater, the Port of Olympia, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project.
Staff Contact:
Jay Burney, City Manager, 360.753.8740
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Item
Background and Analysis:
The body of water known as Capitol Lake in downtown Olympia was constructed between 1949 - 1951 by the State of Washington to create a reflecting pool for the Washington State Capitol Campus. The area was originally the southern portion of the Deschutes Estuary, where freshwater from the Deschutes River and Percival Creek mixed with saltwater from Budd Inlet over tidal flats.
In 2018, the Department of Enterprise Services engaged in a process to evaluate the long-term management of this body of water. Through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process technical analyses, benefits and cost of alternatives, feedback from key stakeholders, and public comment were considered. In 2022, the final EIS identified the Estuary Alternative as the preferred long-term plan.
The Interlocal Agreement (ILA) for the Deschutes Estuary project between the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, the Squaxin Island Tribe, Thurston County, the City of Olympia, the City of Tumwater, the Port of Olympia, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance formalizes the collaboration between the stakeholders to restore the ecosystem by removing the 5th Avenue Dam.
This project is aimed at addressing long-standing environmental issues such as sediment buildup, poor water quality, and invasive species. Restoring the estuary will reintroduce tidal flows improving fish habitats and increasing climate resilience.
Key aspects of the project include establishing a new salt marsh and estuarine habitat, enhancing recreational opportunities with new boardwalks, and reducing flood risks. The project also respects the cultural significance of the land to the Squaxin Island Tribe. The Interlocal commits the City of Olympia to shared costs for future maintenance dredging. Olympia also accepts long-term responsibility for the 5th Avenue Bridge after it is constructed by the State of Washington, as outlined in Attachment 1 of the Interlocal Agreement.
At the October 1, Study Session, the City Council was briefed on the status of the Project and were given an overview of the ILA by Ann Larson, Special Assistant to the Director, Department of Enterprise Services; Tessa Gardner-Brown, Principal, Floyd Snider; Sarah Reich, Project Director, ECO Northwest and Dave Merchant, Assistant Attorney General. The signing of the ILA is a culmination of seven years of work and a formalizing he Memorandum of Understanding between the jurisdictions.
Climate Analysis:
Restoring the Deschutes Estuary offers several climate and environmental benefits including carbon sequestration, flood mitigation, water quality improvement, biodiversity and habitat restoration and resilience to ocean acidification. Overall, restoring the Deschutes Estuary could contribute to regional climate resilience and provide ecosystem services that help buffer against the adverse effects of climate change and sea level rise.
Equity Analysis:
For the Squaxin Island tribe, the Deschutes Estuary has been a critical area for millennia. The Estuary, historically a place for fishing, hunting, and gathering, formed the foundation of tribal livelihoods. Also, as a place of cultural and spiritual significance, the restoration of the Deschutes Estuary represents both a physical and cultural reclamation of tribal cultural heritage.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Olympia and the surrounding community cares about environmental health and water quality in Budd Inlet and local waterways. The restoration of the Deschutes Estuary has been an important issue locally for many years with the restoration project supported by community members and local jurisdictions.
Financial Impact:
The project will be funded through a combination of state, federal and local funding sources. The cost of construction of the estuary, Bridge, recreational opportunities, and Budd Inlet remediation will be borne by the State of Washington and the Port of Olympia. Through the ILA, Olympia agrees to share in the cost of future maintenance dredging at an estimated annual cost of around $300,000, increasing over time with inflation. Olympia also assumes long-term maintenance responsibility for the 5th Avenue Bridge once constructed by the State of Washington.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, the Squaxin Island Tribe, Thurston County, the City of Olympia, the City of Tumwater, the Port of Olympia, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project.
2. Do not approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, the Squaxin Island Tribe, Thurston County, the City of Olympia, the City of Tumwater, the Port of Olympia, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement