Edmonds Environmental Council files complaint against city regarding fish passage at Perrinville Creek

The Edmonds Environmental Council (EEC) filed a formal complaint with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife against the City of Edmonds, alleging that the city's diversion of Perrinville Creek unlawfully obstructs adult coho salmon passage. The EEC cites RCW 77. 15. 320, claiming the city has failed to provide an adequate fishway. In 2021, the city expressed intentions to restore salmon access, but no action has been taken, leading to frustration from local biologist Joe Scordino.

He noted that the city received Hydraulic Project Approval permits in 2024, allowing the diversion to continue for three additional years. The city is now developing engineering designs for improvements to the creek, which include eliminating sediment traps and separating stormwater from creek flows. A $37 million grant application, led by local tribes, aims to fund these projects, with approximately $7 million allocated specifically for Perrinville Creek. The ongoing situation reflects the complexities of environmental restoration efforts within urban planning. This complaint underscores the urgency for timely action to restore salmon passage and mitigate environmental impacts.