See how King County is safeguarding the environment, check out the 2004 DNRP Annual Report online

2005 Archived News

King County residents can click online to read about a very busy and productive year for the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) in managing the region's natural resources.

The King County DNRP 2004 Annual Report, Environmental Stewardship in King County, outlines the activities and accomplishments of the department and helps stakeholders assess its progress protecting human health, safeguarding the environment and enriching the region's quality of life.

'I am very pleased to present this report,' said DNRP Director Pam Bissonnette. 'It demonstrates how, under the leadership of King County Executive Ron Sims, we are making great strides transforming into a regionally focused agency and finding new efficiencies in our programs. It also demonstrates the skills of our results-driven employees, who ably perform day-to-day operations in handling solid waste, wastewater, flood hazard reduction, land management, and providing parks and recreation programs that the people of King County depend on.'

Among DNRP's many 2004 highlights were the purchase of development rights that protected the 90,000-acre Snoqualmie Forest from development, a new business plan for the Solid Waste Division that increased efficiencies while keeping customer satisfaction high, and support in providing the scientific foundation for the updated Critical Areas Ordinances. King County DNRP also made strides in 2004 accomplishing its mission and goals via a Performance Measures initiative which, in its second year, tracked the department's organizational performance to improve service delivery, public accountability and program effectiveness.

The department's programs and services were distinguished with 32 regional, national and international awards in 2004.

The department is comprised of four major divisions -- Parks and Recreation, Solid Waste (SWD), Wastewater Treatment (WTD) and Water and Land Resources (WLRD) and also houses the county's highly respected Geographic Information Systems Center. The mission of the King County DNRP is to: Be the steward of the region's environment and strengthen sustainable communities by protecting our water, land and natural habitats, safely disposing of and reusing wastewater and solid waste, and providing natural areas, parks and recreation programs.

The 2004 Annual Report is available on DNRP's Web site at: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/. Stakeholders who would like a printed copy mailed to them can contact DNRP by telephone at 206-296-6500.

King County DNRP is also establishing an e-mail database for its stakeholders so that it can communicate important issues of interest. People wishing to join the list-serve can e-mail listman@kingcounty.gov and type "subscribe DNRP" in the subject line.