City Fish, Wildlife, and their Habitiat

Background

Like many Puget Sound communities, Redmond's growing urbanization has resulted in reduced fish and wildlife habitats and has threatened water quality in our lakes and streams. Wetlands and open stream channels have been removed as our city has grown. In addition, many areas of the City were developed before extensive stormwater restoration measures were required; this resulted in excess flow in downstream channels that in turn created channel erosion and flooding problems.

Since the late 1960s, a number of landmark federal and state environmental protection laws such as the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and the Shoreline Management Act have been enacted. These laws, all with the purpose of protecting our natural resources, created a complex and sometimes overlapping environmental regulatory structure. Examples of the impact of these laws is the 1999 designation of Puget Sound Chinook salmon and the bull trout, a close relative of the salmon, as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Several other fish species are currently being evaluated for possible consideration of listing under ESA.

 

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Redmond's Commitment

In its commitment to protect our fish, wildlife, and their habitat, Redmond participates in several plans to maximize conservation efforts. The City is a partner in the regional Water Resources Inventory Area (WRIA) agreement. The goal of this agreement is to develop a multi-species, salmon conservation plan that will protect and restore habitat, with the intent to recover populations of naturally spawning salmon. For further information on WRIA, please visit their website at WRIA 8 Committees.

Also, Redmond's Comprehensive Plan contains goals, policies and procedures for use in evaluating future decisions, including those involving stormwater management, land use, conservation and the natural environment, and open space.

In support of these objectives, the City is currently finalizing a Wildlife Habitat Plan for Redmond. It is a blueprint for addressing the habitat needs of Redmond's wildlife and contains information on all species and habitats in this region. When finalized, the plan will be available for public viewing.

Wildlife and Fish Monitoring & Viewing

To learn more about where to find fish, visit our Salmon in Redmond page.

To view local wildlife take a stroll around the Sammamish RiverWalk directly behind City Hall!

Great Blue HeronPhoto Credit: Sunny Walter

Source:  city website