King County's Federal Agenda

Archived Content

King County works together with local cities and regional partners to aggressively advocate for federal funding to address the needs of our residents. In January, County Councilmembers traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with the state’s Congressional Delegation and discuss strategies for funding key projects. Below are some highlights of the County's 2010 Federal Agenda:

Howard Hanson Dam:

• Support immediate full funding, currently estimated at $530 million, in FY 2011 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a permanent and complete repair of the Howard Hanson Dam. The full amount is needed in FY2011 in order to execute appropriate contracts.
• Support emergency appropriations within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies to assist Green River flood control efforts associated with the reduced operating capacity of Howard Hanson Dam.
• Support for federal funding to assist in protection and continued operation of critical wastewater infrastructure in response to Green River flooding concerns associated with the Howard Hanson Dam.

Flood Control:

• Secure $20 million in the Energy and Water Appropriation bill under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Continuing Authorities Program for the Horseshoe Bend 205 Levee Rehabilitation Project.
• Secure enhanced federal appropriations for the U. S Army Corps of Engineers PL84-99 Rehabilitation and Inspection Program for the repair and rehabilitation of the Green River Levee System and other flood protection infrastructure resulting from the reduced operations at Howard Hanson Dam.

Public Safety:

• Secure the following in the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill:
• $500,000 for the School Resource Officers Project
• $500,000 for the Gang Intervention Initiative Project
• $500,000 for the Community E-Policing Technology Project

Superior Court:

• Secure $2 million in the Commerce, Science, Justice Appropriations bill in the COPS Technology Account for the development and implementation of the King County Superior Court Criminal Tracking System.

Transportation:
Secure the following in the Transportation/HUD Appropriations Bill:

• Surface Transportation Account:
• $5.0 million for the South Park Bridge Replacement Project;
• Bus and Bus Facilities Account:
• $5 million for Electric Bus and Rapid Charging System
• $1 million for the On Board Closed-Circuit Television Project

Salmon Recovery:

• Secure $12.3 million in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, under the Army Corps of Engineers Construction account for the Duwamish/Green Ecosystem Restoration.
• Support the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s request for a $5 million new start for the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration under the Army Corps of Engineers Construction account.
• Support $90 million in Department of Commerce Appropriations for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Program, which is critical to habitat recovery projects in King County.

Homeland Security/Emergency Management:

• Secure $5 million in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation account for floodplain buyouts and home elevations to reduce flood risks for the residential area of North Bend and Snoqualmie.

Health Care Reform:

• Secure $350,000 in the Department of Health and Human Service Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services account for the Puget Sound Health Alliance for continued development as a Charter Value Exchange through the funding of a health information database to measure and share quality of care information across employers and health plans in the Puget Sound region.