Category Overview
Conserving land along our waterways protects important habitat and helps keep our rivers healthy, clean, and more resilient to drought. Riparian Protection projects conserve and restore fresh and saltwater habitat while protecting fish habitat. In doing so, the grants help provide our families, farms, and fisheries with clean water across the state.
Project Highlights
King County will use this grant to protect 71.5 acres of the Bass-Beaver Lake complex, which contains three lakes totaling 42 acres, extensive wetlands, and a stream. The land hosts the highest bird species diversity in the county and is home to state priority species including bufflehead, wood duck, pileated woodpecker, bald eagle, great blue heron, common loon, and band-tailed pigeon. The wetland next to Bass Lake is one of largest in the county at 140 acres and is priority habitat for the state. The complex is in a county-designated area that is highly susceptible to groundwater contamination. Preserving the complex would ensure continued year-round groundwater recharge to the Green River. Extensive development pressure exists because parcels in the complex are near lakes, have views of Mount Rainier, and have access to State Route 169.