Resolution 4729 - Laserfiche WebLink

Section 2. Scientific Basis for Proposal Four Watersheds. The early action proposal is based on a scientific framework for assessing actions that will significantly benefit Chinook and it includes a comprehensive set of actions in each of the four watersheds( Snohomish River, Port Gardner marine nearshore,North Creek, Swamp Creek, together with the transmission lines rights of way)where the City has an interest and responsibility shared with others. Some of the projects are already funded and underway. Other projects are proposed as additional new commitments to constitute to Chinook recovery. Section 3.New Commitments. The proposed new commitments fall into six main categories: 1) Habitat acquisition and restoratiori projects within and outside the City in locations offering the greatest benefit to salmon; and 2) Establishment of a single integrated water management area and interconnected transmission grid within Snohomish County to help address water supply problems in neighboring urban areas, thereby enhancing tributary flows important for Chinook salmon; and 3) Regulatory and operational improvements, including increased inspection and enforcement, improved regulatory education and training programs, and commitment to review key operations in order to identify improvements in best management practices;and 4) A regional integrated research program focused on Chinook salmon which will be an expansion of the existing Snohomish Estuary Wetland Integration Plan ; and 5) Study of the internationally acclaimed salmon restoration project at Pigeon Creek No.1, an Adopt-a-Stream and Everett Public Schools project; and 6) Public and business education and community engagement programs to educate the public and business about the Chinook problem and involve the them in implementing recovery measures. Section 4. Council Support for State and Federal Agency Action. Because recovery requires the protection of salmon through all phases of their life cycle, A. We encourage a more open dialogue among the parties responsible for harvest and habitat management. In recognition of the success of the 1998 Washington-Canada accord in protecting Puget Sound Chinook; B. We strongly support a long term US -Canada Harvest Agreement that protects threatened stocks in both countries. In the absence of a long-term agreement,; C. We support renewing and strengthening the 1998 interim agreement to conserve Canadian Coho and Washington bound Chinook.: D. We support the State Department of Fish and Wildlife policies concerning escapement and harvest. Section 5.Negotiations with Federal Government. City representatives are authorized to negotiate with the federal government to develop a phased Section 4(d)rule or flexible regulatory approach that phases in performance requirements over time. Section 6. Development Time for Full Recovery Strategy. In making this offer,the City expects that local governments will have at least a year to work with the federal government on the Section 4(d) regulatory approach and that during this time any Section 9 "take prohibition"will be narrowly defined. The intent of this approach is to avoid a chilling impact/effect on the citizenry and thus encourage full commitment and cooperation from all to recovery both to minimize adverse impacts to City operations, its citizens, and the City's economy during the period when a full recovery strategy is being developed and to 3