2010 accomplishments
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

(from Christie True, DNRP director)

As we close out 2010, I think it is a good time to reflect on what I consider a remarkable year of achievement for DNRP. Our accomplishments are impressive for any year, but against the backdrop of a struggling regional economy and difficult times for the King County and DNRP budget, your work is even more amazing. Just take a look at a few DNRP highlights in the past year:

• The Maury Island Open Space Acquisition agreement will secure the largest undeveloped stretch of shoreline in Puget Sound, and a critical component to recovery of ESA species. Both Parks and Water and Land Resources divisions are involved.

• The final phase of construction was approved for Bow Lake Transfer Station. This facility, scheduled to open in 2012, will update Solid Waste Division’s busiest facility to meet environmental needs, improve efficiency and accommodate future growth.

• We extended what was expected to be a three-year rate for solid waste for a fourth year, and transmitted to County Council plans to extend the life of the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill and renovate the Factoria Transfer Station.

• We not only marked 50 years of flood warning services, but helped secure federal funds for Howard Hanson Dam repairs and led a nationally-recognized Green River Valley public awareness campaign. These efforts are greatly reducing the flood risk for thousands of residents, businesses and property owners, including vulnerable populations.

• Parks secured the USA Diving Trials for the 2012 Olympics at the Weyerhaeuser-King County Aquatic Center, and opened via a community partnership the nationally-acclaimed Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park.

• DNRP helped develop a new Energy Policy that sets goals for helping the County achieve more energy efficiencies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• We adopted a two-year sewer rate that provided rate stability and the ability to maintain the King County Wastewater Treatment system. We also received high ratings on Wastewater Treatment bonds and received a clean audit report on our 2009 financial statements.

• Brightwater Treatment Plant construction is now 90 percent complete and on track to begin wastewater treatment in 2011. Eleven of the 13 miles of conveyance tunnels have been completed and construction is well under way to complete the remaining tunnel.

• We supported efforts to prevent the extinction of Lake Sammamish kokanee by capturing adult fish to spawn and rear the young in a hatchery, and then releasing the offspring in tributaries.

• DNRP acquired 470 acres in easements and 625 acres in public ownership for the purposes of habitat protection, parks and trails, agriculture land protection and flood hazard reduction in 2010. A total of 57 acres of farmland were permanently preserved through the Farmland Preservation Program and the Transfer of Development Rights Program.

• We supported completion of the North Wind's Weir estuary restoration project in Tukwila, one of the largest restoration projects ever completed on the Duwamish River, and a critical component to restoring endangered Puget Sound chinook.

• DNRP helped secure passage of a mercury-containing (fluorescent) lamp product stewardship law in the Washington Legislature. This has been a top priority of the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County.

• We supported Executive’s Office priorities on reform, strategic planning and customer service, including taking the lead on development of a new customer service telephone guide (pdf).

Truly, there are too many worthy 2010 accomplishments to list here, but I think this short list gives you an impressive snapshot of the successes DNRP enjoyed over the past year.

And now we move on to 2011, a year that will include an ever-more-demanding DNRP to-do list and an equally challenging King County budget. Among our tasks: Approval of a new solid waste rate, completion of the Brightwater plant and long-term closure of a Burke Gilman Trail segment for redevelopment. Based on the resilience, talent, creativity and professionalism I have seen from DNRP employees, I am confident we will continue to achieve our mission while stabilizing funding sources, managing costs, creating efficiencies and enhancing customer service and satisfaction.

Christie True,
DNRP Director