Drafter
Clerk 02/17/2016
title
A RESOLUTION relating to the Green River System-Wide Improvement Framework; directing the King County Director of Water and Land Resources to submit the Interim SWIF to the United States Army Corps of Engineers; providing for a Corridor Plan for the Lower Green River; establishing and appointing members of a Lower Green River Corridor Plan Advisory Committee; and authorizing a programmatic environmental impact statement SEPA process.
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WHEREAS, in light of tribal correspondence regarding alleged violations of treaty rights and the Endangered Species Act ("ESA"), the King County Flood Control Zone District ("District") has consulted with staff for the Seattle District of the United States Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE") regarding the March 21, 2014, Interim Policy for Determining Eligibility Status, specifically USACE's policy not to conduct ESA Section 7 consultation for SWIF plan acceptance; and
WHEREAS, while that consultation is continuing, time is running short on completion of the Green River System-Wide Improvement Framework ("SWIF"), which necessitates planning for timely submittal of an interim SWIF that does not preclude other options for ESA compliance and achievement of broader objectives; and
WHEREAS, the executive committee has previously authorized the chair and vice-chair to request a time extension from the USACE for completion of a SWIF; and
WHEREAS, the extension request included a schedule for deliverables; and
WHEREAS, the executive committee submitted draft chapters of the Interim SWIF to the USACE for review and comment; and
WHEREAS, the submitted draft chapters have been revised to respond to USACE comments; and
WHEREAS, the District desires to move forward with a Lower Green River Corridor Plan similar to plans underway for the Cedar River, the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, the South Fork Snoqualmie River and the Tolt River; and
WHE...

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