COMMISSION AGENDA MEMORANDUM Item No. ACTION ITEM Date of Meeting 8e 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: Total estimated project cost: $26,000 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 fiveyear 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. Template revised January 10, 2019. COMMISSION AGENDA - Action Item No. 8e Meeting Date: July 28, 2026 Page 2 of 4 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 subwatershed, 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. Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting). COMMISSION AGENDA - Action Item No. 8e Meeting Date: July 28, 2026 Page 3 of 4 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 2027 Duwamish Basin Steward Total This Request Total Project $0 $0 $150,000 $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. Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting). COMMISSION AGENDA - Action Item No. 8e Meeting Date: July 28, 2026 Page 4 of 4 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. Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).