Des Moines City is set to enhance its environmental initiatives following a recent Environment Committee meeting, where key funding strategies and project updates were discussed. The city will continue its collaboration with the Puget Sound Partnership and the Washington Salmon Coalition, focusing on advancing priority projects through an annual grant round.

The committee outlined a funding strategy that allocates approximately $606,000 for watershed management, with $16,000 contributed by Des Moines. This funding is based on a cost-sharing model that considers population, assessed value, and land area within the watershed. The annual grant round will distribute around $4.2 million from the flood control district, targeting 65% for high-priority capital projects, 15% for revegetation efforts, 10% for research and monitoring, and 5% for education and outreach.

Significant accomplishments highlighted during the meeting include over $200 million leveraged for project implementation across the watershed. Notable achievements include the setback of approximately 3.2 miles of levee along the Green Duwamish River, the revegetation of over 500 acres, and the preservation of 4.5 miles of marine shorelands, which includes the removal of a mile of marine shoreline armor.

The committee also showcased a recent nearshore project at Lomond Beach in Seattle, where a failing seawall was replaced, demonstrating the ongoing commitment to improving coastal resilience and habitat restoration.

As these initiatives progress, Des Moines City aims to strengthen its environmental stewardship and enhance the health of local ecosystems, ensuring a sustainable future for the community and its natural resources.