The city of Kent has reached agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a plan to improve habitat for threatened salmon while also assuring the city’s ability to utilize water from its Clark Springs water supply.
Clark Springs is east of Maple Valley in the Rock Creek watershed, a Cedar River tributary that provides habitat for several species of salmon and trout.
The agreement, also known as a Habitat Conservation Plan, was announced Monday by city officials.
The plan features projects that increase stream flows when fish are spawning, replaces culverts, and improves salmon habitat, according to a city media release. Also included are water conservation programs and the establishment of a habitat fund for future restoration projects or land acquisitions.
“This is a tremendous achievement for our city,” said Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke. “The plan highlights our focus on environmental stewardship while also balancing the needs of our residents.”
The Endangered Species Act mandates protection of threatened and endangered species on federal and private land by prohibiting “take” of listed species through direct harm or impacts to habitat.
Health Conservation Plans are agreements that allow landowners and/or government organizations to manage endangered species on their properties. The Endangered Species Act allows those entities whose activities negatively affect endangered species to continue to carry out those activities as long as plans are in place to minimize and mitigate harm to the impacted species.
Kent is the third city in the state to establish an Health Conservation Plan related to municipal water supply.
Will Stelle, regional director for the National Marine Fisheries Service, praised the agreement as an important step in addressing salmon recovery. “This HCP is another important step in the recovery of Puget Sound salmon populations,” Stelle said. “Kent’s leadership and willingness to provide water and habitat to salmon while ensuring water for its customers required both courage and ingenuity. The city of Kent should be applauded for this unique achievement.”
According to Congressman Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, the conservation plan strikes an important balance by securing the water needs for the city of Kent and maintaining critical habitat for a vital Puget Sound resource.
“All parties deserve credit for their successful collaboration,” Smith said.
Congressman Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, also recognized the agreement.
“I want to congratulate all the parties associated with this agreement,’ Reichert said. “It is important to the city’s customers to know that they can rely on Clark Springs water while protecting our region’s valued salmon resource.”
The agreement provides the city of Kent with 50-year permits from National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Health Conservation Plan and all applicable documents can be found at www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Habitat/Habitat-Conservation-Plans/Kent/.
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