In 2008, five cities and Snohomish County joined a regional effort to address flooding, water quality and habitat issues in the Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek watershed.
In addition to Snohomish County, Edmonds, Shoreline, Lynnwood and Lake Forest Park came together in a unique collaborative effort which has become known, in short, as the “Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek Forum.”
Supported by funds from the state of Washington, and working with the U.S. Army Corps, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee’s office, and citizen groups from across the watershed, I am pleased to report the forum is close to identifying specific strategies to address the challenges of one of Washington’s most polluted lakes.
However, just as we seem to be getting close to a full understanding of the scope of the problems and solutions, it appears some of our partner cities are losing focus.
One city’s administration continues to demand that we look at additional, outside watersheds with our limited resources. At one point, this administration proposed that 50 percent of any new state funds for the Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek watershed be diverted to another project — one that four of our six jurisdictions have nothing to do with. That city’s administration even went so far as to lobby against our efforts in Olympia unless or until such a portion of funds could go to the other watershed. Again, that separate watershed exists beyond the borders of Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek.
We understand that each city has its own interests to pursue. With that in mind, it may be time to re-evaluate whether the jurisdictions involved in the forum continue to have their mutual interests aligned enough for this project to continue in this form. It doesn’t make sense for one city administration to hold up the collaboration of the other five jurisdictions.
This Lake Ballinger Forum is unique in Washington state. This issue has been an orphan, beyond the scope of any one city, for well more than 40 years. Only together, working in regional cooperation, can this problem be addressed.
In that spirit, the city of Edmonds is committed to the long-term management of Lake Ballinger. Where interlocal agreements are appropriate, like that which we’ve had with Mountlake Terrace and Shoreline, we will continue to use those vehicles for progress. Where close collaboration on state and federal policy matters is needed, like that which we’ve had with the city of Lynnwood and Snohomish County, we will rely on those trusted relationships, as well.
The challenge of responsible stewardship at Lake Ballinger is not going away. Neither should our commitment to that outcome.
DJ Wilson is president of the Edmonds City Council and former Chairman of the Lake Ballinger Forum.
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