Chelan County ILF Program Deemed Complete
Chelan County's In-Lieu Fee Program Instrument has been deemed complete by the Army Corps, which enables the process of implementing in-lieu fee to move forward. Once the Interagency Review Team (IRT) provides feedback and recommendations are addressed, the Instrument Basic Agreement will be signed by all parties and the ILF Program will be authorized for use. The In-Lieu Fee Program will provide a mitigation alternative for projects on and near lower Lake Chelan, allowing permittees to pay into a fund that finances mitigation projects in the watershed. Read more about the Chelan County ILF Program.
Want more information about in-lieu fee? Contact us to get an informational flier explaining how it works for permittees and sponsors, the benefits, and the process of implementing in-lieu fee in your jurisdiction.
In-Lieu Fee Now Available in King County
The King County Mitigation Reserves Program (MRP) now offers landowners, developers, and planners a new option for mitigation when on-site mitigation is not feasible. The MRP allows an in-lieu payment to cover mitigation responsibilities. The Watershed Company can help you through the process - ask for Suzanne.
We are currently helping Chelan County develop their own in-lieu fee program as well.
Want more information about in-lieu fee? Contact us to get an informational flier explaining how it works for permittees and sponsors, the benefits, and the process of implementing in-lieu fee in your jurisdiction.
Green Shorelines Session at 2012 WASLA Conference
Armoring, which offers little habitat value, lines 70% of Lake Washington and Sammamish shorelines and up to 60% of Puget Sound shorelines. Bioengineering approaches like gradual sloping shorelines offer better habitat while still protecting buildings. Watershed Environmental Engineer Dan Nickel will present at a session titled "Bring Back the Beach: Removing Barriers While Improving Habitat" at the 2012 WASLA conference on March 29th. He will discuss successful projects, a new shoreline rating system, owner incentives, and permitting guidance. Details and registration on the WASLA conference website. Come hear the talk, then drop by our booth!
Kirkland SMP Featured for Innovative Tool
The Green Shorelines blog featured an innovative visual tool for determining shoreline stabilization options that was included in the City of Kirkland's Shoreline Master Program Update, developed by The Watershed Company. In addition to the Kirkland SMP Update, planners at The Watershed Company have assisted or are assisting over 25 jurisdictions with SMP updates.
Watershed Opens Wenatchee Office
The Watershed Company’s new Wenatchee office is now conducting permitting, restoration, mitigation, planning, landscaping, and critical areas work throughout eastern Washington. While we have worked in eastern and north central Washington extensively throughout our 30-year history, our newly established branch makes it more convenient and cost-effective for our clients. Read more about the services we offer and see project examples from North Central Washington on our Wenatchee office page.
Watershed Staff to Present at SMP Workshop
Amy Summe, Environmental Planner at The Watershed Company, will be presenting at a Law Seminars International workshop on Shoreline Master Program Updates on December 7 in Seattle. She will be part of a discussion on requirements and experiences with the analysis report, no net loss, cumulative impacts analysis, and restoration plan elements.
Amy has been involved with more than 25 Shoreline Master Program updates, and is currently leading updates for Chelan County and the Cities of North Bend and Carnation, as well as four Lake Washington communities. As part of the SMP update process, Amy and Watershed staff participate in public involvement proceedings and prepare reports, GIS maps, restoration plans, and updated SMP documents.
Seminar Details
What: A Comprehensive One-Day Seminar on Shoreline
Master Program Updates: Current developments and practical guidance for
compliance
Where: Sheraton Seattle Hotel, in
Seattle, WA
When: December 7, 8:00AM - 6:00PM; Amy's
segment begins at 10:15AM
For more details, please visit the Law
Seminars International website.
FEMA BiOp
Planners - need help figuring out what to do about the FEMA BiOp? Contact us to get a packet we've assembed, including pros and cons for each door, a possible document outline and project timeline, and more information about the BiOp. Or check out our FEMA BiOp page to learn how The Watershed Company can help you achieve compliance.
Developers - worried about the FEMA BiOp? Talk to one of our planners to learn how the BiOp might affect you.
Recent Projects Added to Website
We've added a few new projects to our website, check out our recent work!
The Watershed Company is completing one of the first in-lieu fee governing instruments in Washington State, for lower Lake Chelan. In-lieu fee mitigation (or ILF) is a relatively new option for meeting compensatory mitigation requirements. A permit applicant may make a single payment into an ILF program, and that money will be pooled and used for projects designed to improve critical areas function by restoring watershed processes. The applicant is not responsible for the mitigation after the fee is paid.
Our wetlands biologists and landscape architects teamed up to develop a Meridian Park feasibility study that includes innovative street side rain gardens, which are becoming more popular in Seattle.
Watershed Company landscape architects designed a landscape for a modern Tate Creek home that complements the home's bluestone stonework as well as its natural setting.
