Puget Soundkeeper settled with Boeing’s Military Delivery Center (Boeing MDC) in 2020, announcing that Boeing would pay $750,000 to King County. This settlement made possible the timely completion of the Lones Levee Setback and Floodplain Restoration Project. Removing the levee creates over 20 acres of salmon habitat in South King County, along the Green River.
We’re thrilled to share a video of the successful levee removal project. Watch below:
King County Water and Land Resources Division crews and Muckleshoot Indian Tribe staff removed Lones levee’s coffer dam on October 27th. Our partners at Waste Action Project report that the Green River now flows toward its historic floodplain and into newly (re)connected habitat!
Puget Sounkeeper’s settlement also required Boeing to make several changes to its stormwater mitigation practices at Boeing MDC. Boeing installed advanced stormwater treatment facilities and expanded on-site stormwater monitoring to properly survey pollutants. Additionally, Boeing removed PCB-laden flight line materials. Habitat restoration and stormwater mitigation go hand-in-hand. Salmon must be able to spawn in an environment free from lethal levels of contamination.
Puget Soundkeeper is in the process of monitoring the two new stormwater treatment systems at Boeing MDC. Consistent tracking ensures the abatement of PCB discharges to the Duwamish River and gives salmon a fighting chance.