Snohomish County expects nearly $1 million in grants for storm water issues

Published 11:35 pm Monday, February 11, 2008

EVERETT — Snohomish County expects to get nearly $1 million to help it reduce the impact storm water runoff has on salmon and creeks, officials said.

The county expects to get $735,000 to help Lake Stevens, Snohomish and Granite Falls maintain and map their storm water pipes. The county expects to get another $193,500 to retrofit an existing 17-year-old detention pond.

Arlington, Everett and Snohomish are also set to receive Ecology Department grants: $519,905 for Arlington, $276,384 for Everett and $1 million for Snohomish.

“We are pleased that our grant applications received priority ranking by the Department of Ecology,” said David Brookings, Snohomish County’s Surface Water Management director. “Both projects represent an ongoing philosophy in Snohomish County that to deliver cost-effective storm water projects to our ratepayers, we need to develop strong partnerships with neighboring cities and seek outside funding from the state when possible.”

Snohomish County applied for the funding last fall, said Christopher Schwarzen, spokesman for County Executive Aaron Reardon. Projects include 25 percent matching funds from the county and cities who partner with the program.

Overall, the Puget Sound region was the largest recipient of state funding for storm water improvements. Funding to the area totals more than $17 million, while another $2.7 million is for areas outside the Puget Sound.

The funding was approved by the Legislature during the 2007 session, Schwarzen said.

To see the Department of Ecology’s grant list, go to www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0810018.pdf.

Reporter Lukas Velush: 425-339-3449 or lvelush@heraldnet.com.