Executive/Council Action Form (ECAF)
ITEM TITLE:
Title
Motion 26-285, authorizing approval of Professional Services Agreement SWMCC02-26 with Natural Systems Design, Inc. for the Chinook Marsh Restoration Project
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DEPARTMENT: DCNR/ Surface Water Management
ORIGINATOR: Lisa Tario / Kit (Donald) Crump
EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDATION: Approved by Tom Teigen 7/15/2026
PURPOSE: For Council approval of Motion for agreement SWMCC02-26 with Natural Systems Design for the Chinook Marsh Restoration Project.
BACKGROUND: Snohomish County is planning to restore publicly owned property between Ebey Slough and Fobes Hill. Formerly referred to as Diking District 6 (DD6), this approximately 430-acre property is now called Chinook Marsh. This project proposes to restore tidal habitat by reconnecting Ebey Slough to its natural floodplain. This work includes the development of preliminary designs (2025-2026), final designs and permitting (2026-2027), and construction support for the project through 2030. The majority of the former DD6 property was acquired in 1994 as part of a mediated agreement to conduct restoration work, provide open space, and ease flooding in the area, as was recommended in the Snohomish River Comprehensive Flood Control Management Plan, adopted by Snohomish County in December of 1991. The overall goal of the project was to acquire and restore the floodplain to intertidal wetland to provide off-channel water storage for seasonal flood water flows, and to restore the natural tidal hydrology, and associated fish and wildlife habitat. This ECAF is expedited to meet the aggressive 2028 construction start date for the Chinook Marsh project, which requires onsite field testing to start in August of 2026 to be completed before the rainy season begins. If this testing is delayed, the project timeline could delay design and construction, which in turn would jeopardize approximately $16M in grant funding that has been awarded toward construction and that m...
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