King County DNRP 2005 annual report available online

With the click of a mouse, interested citizens can check on the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks' (DNRP) performance of protecting the environment and preserving the high quality of life during 2005.

The annual report, "Environmental Stewardship in King County,"outlines the activities and accomplishments of the department, and helps citizens assess the department's progress in protecting human health, safeguarding the environment and improving the region's unsurpassed quality of life.

The 2005 annual report is available on DNRP's Web site at: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/.

"I'm always eager to share our accomplishments with everyone, and the Annual Report is a great summary of what we achieved in 2005,"said Pam Bissonnette, DNRP Director.

The department is comprised of four major divisions - Parks and Recreation, Solid Waste, Wastewater Treatment and Water and Land Resources. DNRP also houses the county's 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.

Among the DNRP's highlights in 2005 was implementing a ban on certain electronics and mercury-containing products at the Cedar Hills Landfill; planning and implementing the King County Climate Change Conference, which featured global warming experts from around the world; submitting comprehensive recovery plans for Endangered Species Act-listed salmon populations; and achieving the highest flood hazard management program rating of any county in the nation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The department's programs and services were honored with 32 regional, state and national awards in 2005. This spring, the 2004 DNRP annual report earned an award of Merit in an International Society for Technical Communications (STC) competition. Earlier this year the report won a Distinguished Award from the Puget Sound Chapter of STC.