Snohomish County Awarded 10 Million Grant for Community Floodplain Solutions

Snohomish County received a $10 million grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology to advance its Community Floodplain Solutions program. This funding will support 13 capital projects that will reconnect 366 acres of floodplain and restore 28. 5 miles of river, crucial for local ecological health. County Executive Dave Somers highlighted the grant's role in reducing flood risks and restoring salmon habitats, benefiting the environment and local economy. Key projects include the Chinook Marsh initiative, which aims to reconnect over 400 acres of habitat while protecting critical infrastructure like the City of Everett's water line.

Additionally, the Ag Tech Program will receive $1 million to provide farmers with advanced technologies to improve productivity sustainably. Nearly $4. 5 million will be distributed to partners like the Tulalip Tribes and Ducks Unlimited to support collaborative efforts. This funding cycle brings the total to $33. 3 million awarded to Snohomish County for floodplain management.

Flooding remains a significant risk in the region, with every $1 invested in resilience potentially saving $7 in future disaster costs.