Lake Stevens Plan for Salmonid Basins

The City and its consultant, Herrera Environmental Consultants, are working on a landmark project known as the Lake Stevens Plan for Salmonid Basins (Basins Plan). The initiative involves crafting a strategic watershed management blueprint aimed at protecting and revitalizing the salmon habitat in our city's drainage basins. We are partnering with numerous authorities including the municipalities of Lake Stevens and Marysville, Snohomish County, Tulalip Tribes, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Ecology, and the Washington State Department of Transportation. We are seeking public input throughout the process. A vital part of the plan integrates and influences various long-term land use and drainage management plans with the life-cycle needs of salmon.

The Basins Plan is grounded in rigorous data analysis to generate basin-level management insights that can guide decision-making, stimulate new policy direction, and help prioritize capital projects to improve water quality and restore salmon habitat. The outcomes of this project will be reflected in the Basins Plan policies and goals that can be integrated into Comprehensive Plans. This cooperative effort will ensure the well-being of our basins and the life sustained within them, as well as support the quality of life for citizens. With this initiative, we aim to maintain water quality, promote the fish productivity in our streams and lake, minimize flooding, push for climate change resilience, enhance fish habitat, and advance the restoration of fish passage at barriers.

The Lake Stevens Plan for Salmonid Basins is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.