July 1 council update, part 2 Council learns about Edmonds marsh study and approves residential parking code

The Edmonds City Council reviewed the Edmonds Marsh Planning Study, which aims to reconnect the marsh to Puget Sound and restore essential estuary habitat. The plan focuses on flood risk reduction and enhancing habitat for wildlife, including salmon and birds, while improving public access. Recent achievements include key environmental documents and community engagement through public meetings. Engineers presented two alternatives for connecting the marsh, one involving an open channel and the other full excavation of the Unocal site, although the latter may not aid in flood management. They highlighted that minimal contamination remains at the Unocal site, which could be addressed during future development.

The council is optimistic about securing a new grant for restoration work, with a decision anticipated by December. Pre-design work could conclude by 2028, leading to further construction decisions. Bill Derry of the Edmonds Marsh Estuary Advocates emphasized the importance of developing refined cost estimates and a funding plan for the project's next phase.