King County research vessel joins Seattle Maritime Festival, May 12

Learn firsthand how King County is working to protect the environment by touring the county's research vessel - just one of the great opportunities at this year's Seattle Maritime Festival, May 10-12 on the downtown Seattle waterfront.

King County scientists will be on hand to provide tours of "Liberty," the county's 48-foot research vessel that is used to conduct various saltwater projects on Puget Sound.

They will also provide equipment demonstrations and talk about how water and sediment samples collected from Puget Sound help the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks fulfill its environmental stewardship mission.

The work boat "open house" is just one of the maritime festival's many features. The ship will be available to tour during the Family Fun Day activities on May 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pier 66/Bell Harbor Marina on the downtown Seattle waterfront.

"Liberty's" homeport is the King County Environmental Laboratory in Fremont. The lab provides quality field services, laboratory, information technology services and advisory services in support of King County and other publicly-sponsored programs that protect and enhance water quality.

The Seattle Maritime Festival runs May 10-12 and offers tugboat races, harbor tours and a chowder cook-off. To view a list of activities visit www.portseattle.org or call 206-728-3163.
King County is also working to protect the environment by shaping policies that will guide clean-up and restoration of marine areas through the Puget Sound Partnership initiative.

Established by Governor Christine Gregoire to bring together federal, state and local agencies, the tribes and other concerned groups, the partnership is developing a framework to address the most-serious issues affecting Puget Sound, including habitat loss, changes to water runoff and water pollution.

The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks' mission 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.