Oct 31, 201102:39 PMDaily Biz Briefs
Agreement advances salmon conservation in Kent
Oct 31, 2011 - 02:39 PM
The City of Kent has reached agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a plan to improve habitat for threatened salmon, while also assuring the city's ability to utilize water from its Clark Springs water supply.The agreement, also known as a Habitat Conservation Plan, features projects that increase stream flows when fish are spawning, replaces culverts and improves salmon habitat. Also included are water conservation programs and the establishment of a habitat fund for future restoration projects or land acquisitions. The Endangered Species Act mandates protection of threatened and endangered species on federal and private land by prohibiting "take" of listed species through direct harm or impacts to habitat.
HCPs are agreements that allow landowners and/or government organizations to manage endangered species on their properties. The ESA allows those entities whose activities negatively affect endangered species to continue to carry out those activities as long as plans are in place to minimize and mitigate harm to the impacted species.
Kent is the third city in the state to establish an HCP related to municipal water supply.
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