DESCRIPTION
The proposed project is to purchase properties which are necessary for a future setback levee on the right bank of the White River between River miles 3.9 and 4.9. With these funds, one of the larger willing sellers of the remaining 9 properties will be acquired both preventing potential future development and allowing the area to be used for a setback levee. This setback levee, which is identified in the lead entities Salmon Habitat and Restoration Plan, will create important rearing habitat which is near nonexistent in the Lower White River for Fall and Spring Chinook species.
The project acquired 1 property which is .67 acres in size from a willing seller on the right bank of the White River at river mile 4.5. The property has approximately .02 miles of riverbank which is now protected. The property is parcel 7965000021, or 14009 26th Street East, Sumner WA 98390.All structures on the property were removed after acquisition. This acquisition prevents future development on zoned industrial land while also preserving the space for a planned setback levee project, which is currently in design and identified in the WRIA 10 lead entities Salmon Habitat and Restoration Plan. The setback levee project will lower the existing floodplain and create a new side channel which will provide important rearing habitat, which is near nonexistent in the Lower White River, for Fall and Spring Chinook species.