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Snohomish County Airport Wetland Mitigation Bank at Narbeck

Educational opportunities at the sanctuary abound, including a boardwalk over the wetlands.
Interpretive signs were designed and installed along the boardwalk at Narbeck.
The main wetland at Narbeck.
Loosening a root ball before installing an ocean spray planting.
Enhanced and created wetlands at the Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary.
Aerial image of the Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary seven years after project implementation.

Statistics

Client: Snohomish County Airport
Location: Everett, WA
Dates: 1995 - present
Services: Wetland assessment, wetland mitigation design, site planning, interpretive design, permitting, construction oversight, mitigation monitoring

Description

The Watershed Company designed and managed the creation of the first successful wetland mitigation bank in Washington State, created for the expansion of Snohomish County Airport at Paine Field. Work included planning, design and construction management for a $3.5 million, 48-acre wetland park that offers recreational and educational opportunities while preserving natural resources. The project created eight acres of wetlands and enhanced existing wetlands and buffers at the Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary.

Biologists conducted an extensive sensitive areas assessment of the site and planned the project to enhance resources and ensure approval under difficult regulatory requirements. The Watershed Company provided permit support with Everett, Snohomish County, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, EPA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In addition to park and wetland design, The Watershed Company also designed interpretive signs highlighting historical and environmental features and monitored the site for performance for eight years. The project fulfilled all compliance requirements a year ahead of schedule.