Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION

AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Item No.

ACTION ITEM

Date of Meeting

July 28, 2026

DATE : June 24, 2026

TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director

FROM: Sarah Ogier, Director, Maritime Environment & Sustainability

Jon Sloan, Sr.Manager, Environmental Programs

Kathleen Hurley, Sr. Program Manager, Maritime Environment & Sustainability

SUBJECT: Duwamish Basin Steward ILA Amendment

Amount of this request:

$26,000

Total estimated project cost:

Up to $150,000

ACTION REQUESTED

Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to approve a 1-year extension of

the Duwamish Basin Steward Interlocal Agreement through December 31, 2027.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This request is to approve a 1-year extension of the Duwamish Basin Steward ILA through

December 31, 2027. This date extension correctly aligns the agreement with the anticipated five-

year term. The purpose of the agreement is to deliver Basin Stewardship services and provide a

mechanism to promote, develop, and implement environmental stewardship projects within the

Duwamish Service Area.

This Interlocal Agreement (ILA) funds stewardship capacity for the Duwamish Service Area to

focus on land conservation and habitat restoration, community engagement and partner

coordination, as well as improved environmental sustainability of the Duwamish Valley industrial

complex along the river’s shorelines. Additionally, the ILA supports each entity’s development

and implementation of Chinook salmon habitat restoration projects, conservation of open space,

and collaboration with community organizations and private businesses to promote creative

solutions for stormwater management, floodplain restoration, riparian restoration, climate

adaptation, and other environmental activities within the service area.

COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 2 of 4

Meeting Date: July 28, 2026

Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).

JUSTIFICATION

The Port’s participation in this ILA supports Century Agenda goals around equity and

environment, specifically habitat restoration in areas in which the Port operates. The Duwamish

Basin Steward plays an important role in coordinating habitat restoration and stewardship efforts

for optimal impact throughout the service area. This ILA was added to the 2022 budget per

request by Commissioner Felleman and through the Commission Budget Request process.

Port support for the Duwamish River steward is in alignment with the Duwamish Valley

Community Equity Program which was adopted by the Port Commission in 2019. The Duwamish

Valley Community Equity Program aims to harness the Port’s economic development mission to

promote community partnerships, healthy environments and communities, and economic

prosperity.

Diversity in Contracting

The Port will not conduct any procurement under this ILA.

DETAILS

The ILA created a dedicated position for a Duwamish Basin Steward (hired and managed by King

County) that supports collaboration and advances restoration efforts with communities in the

Duwamish Service Area.

This ILA provides a mechanism for securing technical assistance and funding from federal and

state agencies and other sources to undertake habitat stewardship activities in the Duwamish

Service Area. The service area includes the Duwamish sub-watershed, as defined in the WRIA 9

Plan, as well as two unincorporated urban areas that overlap in part with the Duwamish sub-

watershed, North Highline area (between Seattle and Burien) and the Skyway unincorporated

area, extending to Lake Washington.

The original agreement remains in effect until December 31, 2026 and this request would extend

the duration of the agreement by one year to December 31, 2027. Should the Port decide to exit

the agreement, there are provisions within the ILA to do so, as well as options for extending the

ILA beyond the five-year time period, upon execution by each party, which we are exercising in

this instance.

Scope of Work

Each party to the ILA has one representative on the Duwamish Basin Management Team (DBMT).

The DBMT manages the Duwamish Basin Stewardship program (“Duwamish Program”) for

carrying out the basin stewardship purposes of the ILA and defines the scope of the basin

steward’s work.

COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 3 of 4

Meeting Date: July 28, 2026

Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).

The DBMT meets at least four times per calendar year, and more frequently if the DBMT

determines it necessary, to review Duwamish Program workplan progress, as well as partnerships

that would benefit the Program, including potential funding. Each year, prior to October 1, the

DBMT shall develop a draft work program and budget for consideration by the DBMT for the

following calendar year.

King County performs day-to-day project management and direction and communicates with

other DBMT participants as needed to conduct Duwamish Program activities. King County will

schedule, facilitate, and provide summaries of all DBMT meetings to each Party during

implementation of the Duwamish Program.

Schedule

If the amendment is approved, this agreement will end December 31, 2027. During 2027, the

team will consider a new ILA for a new term.

Cost Breakdown

This Request

Total Project

2027 Duwamish Basin Steward

$150,000

Total

$150,000

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The projected annual expenditure for the Port’s share in 2022 was $26,000, which represents

12.5% of the Duwamish Basin Steward position cost. The cost of the basin steward is shared by

King County, the City of Tukwila, the City of Seattle, and the Port. The Port’s share is 12% of the

total cost annually ($26,000 in 2022), subject to adjustment for inflation based on the Consumer

Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The initial term of the ILA was

five years and approximately $150,000 total through December 31, 2026. Given delays in

finalizing the ILA, the Basin Steward position did not begin until 2023, and this extension will

support the full timeframe of 5 years for the position and the same original 5-year cost. Port staff

will include an annual budget request to support the position in 2027. The Port’s estimated cost

share (12.5%) in 2027 is $30,000.

COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 4 of 4

Meeting Date: July 28, 2026

Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

The ILA was intended to support 5 years of work in the Lower Duwamish/Green River, beginning

in 2022-2027. However, two issues delayed the start of work: 1) the ILA was not fully executed

until February 2023, due to unanticipated delays in the approval and signature process among

the four entities; and 2) the ILA expiration date of December 2026 was not updated to December

2027 during the signature process, thus effectively shortening the intended 5 year duration of

the agreement to only 4 years. The cost of the basin steward is shared by King County, the City

of Tukwila, the City of Seattle, and the Port. The Port’s share is 12.5% of the total cost annually

($30,000 in 2027), subject to adjustment for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for

Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST

(1) Amendment to interlocal agreement for Duwamish Basin Steward

(2) Initial interlocal agreement for the Duwamish Basin Steward

(3) Presentation

PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS

May 24, 2022 (item 10b) – The Commission authorized the Executive Director to execute an

interlocal agreement with King County, City of Seattle, and City of Tukwila for the

Duwamish Basin Steward position.