Date: October 24, 2008
Community and Government Affairs
City of Lake Forest Park
206-368-5440
News Release
LAKE BALLINGER/McALEER CREEK WATERSHED ACTION PLAN UNDERWAY
Background
All six local jurisdictions within the Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek watershed (as shown on the attached map) have joined together through a written agreement to prepare a strategic action plan that will address issues related to water quantity and water quality within the drainage basin. The cities of Edmonds, Lake Forest Park, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline and Snohomish County have agreed to language in an interlocal agreement that forms a Watershed Forum to guide the development of a Strategic Action Plan.
The Strategic Action Plan will primarily address storm water and surface water flow issues related to the level of Lake Ballinger. Flow issues for the lake related to Hall Creek and McAleer Creek are also included. Secondary objectives include water quality, aquatic habitat and lake and streamside enhancement opportunities.
The Strategic Action Plan will be funded by a Department of Ecology appropriation allocated earlier this year by the state legislature to study surface water "and groundwater" issues that affect Lake Ballinger and McAleer Creek.Over the next 9 months, the Strategic Action Plan will be developed and then presented for consideration and implementation by the Forum member jurisdictions.
Otak, an engineering firm based in Kirkland, has been selected by the Forum to prepare the Strategic Action Plan for the watershed. The Otak team also includes the surface water-modeling firm Clear Creek Solutions and the subsurface flow team of Golder Associates.
The Strategic Action Plan is scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2009. Once completed, the Forum will have until June 30, 2010 to approve or remand the Plan to the Staff Committee for further modification. After approval by the Forum, the plan will be delivered to each of the member jurisdictions for consideration.
WE WANT YOUR INPUT!
The Forum will be holding its first public meeting related to preparation of the Strategic Action plan. The meeting details are as follows:
Wednesday November 12th
Ballinger Lake Golf Course
Lakeview Room
23000 Lakeview Dr
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
7 pm – 9 pm
At this meeting you will have a chance to share you knowledge of the issues in the watershed and have an opportunity to be involved in the development of the Strategic Action Plan.
Click here for a copy of the Lake Ballinger watershed vicinity map.
