Green/Duwamish Ecosystem Restoration Project (ERP)
The Green/Duwamish Ecosystem Restoration Project (ERP) is an integral part of salmon habitat protection and restoration efforts in the entire Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA 9).
The ERP was the culmination of a cooperative effort by 16 local governments, Indian Tribes, the State of Washington, NOAA Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and many other organizations and private citizens.
This effort produced a list of 45 projects that -- when implemented -- will help restore the health of the watershed for the benefit of fish, wildlife, and the people who call it home.
In the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, the U.S. Congress authorized a $113 million effort to carry out the ERP. Part of this amount will come from Congress and part from the local partners. Currently, local governments and other stakeholders are working with the Army Corps of Engineers to prepare construction documents and finalize the real estate acquisitions for high priority restoration sties throughout the watershed. In 2003, Congress began appropriating funds for construction. Construction began in 2005.
29 of the 45 projects in the ERP were subsequently included in the 2005 Salmon Habitat Plan for the watershed.
View the March 2010 project update (Adobe Acrobat).
Among the projects constructed or under way are:
- Gale and Boundary Creek Culvert Replacement in the Upper Green River (Salmon Habitat Plan Project UG-3, page 7-24)
- Big Spring Creek Reconstruction near Enumclaw (Salmon Habitat Plan Project MG-7, page 7-39)
- Fenster Levee Setback in Auburn (Salmon Habitat Plan Project MG-18, page 7-50)
- Meridian Valley Creek Reconstruction in Kent
- Lake Meridian Outlet Construction in Kent
- Lower Mill Creek Mouth Restoration in Kent (Salmon Habitat Plan Project LG-7, page 7-62)
- Riverview Park Side Channel in Kent (Salmon Habitat Plan Project LG-7, page 7-62)
- Codiga Farm Side Channel in Tukwila
- North Wind's Weir (Site 1) in Tukwila (Salmon Habitat Plan Project Duw-10, page 7-93)
ERP Project Committee
An ERP Project Management Committee is assisting in carrying out this project. It includes staff from the Army Corps of Engineers, King County, and participating cities in the Green/Duwamish watershed including Auburn, Kent, Renton, and Tukwila.
The public is welcome to attend committee meetings. Meeting information is available on the meeting schedule.
For further information on the ERP Project Management Committee, including confirmation of meeting dates, times, and locations, please contact Karen Bergeron, 206-296-8383.