King County Pledges $100M for Green Spaces & Salmon

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay has put forth a significant conservation proposal, earmarking $100 million for 57 distinct projects. This initiative, announced on September 10, aims to enhance urban greenspace, restore crucial salmon habitats, and safeguard farmland and natural areas. If approved by the King County Council, the plan would protect an estimated 1,500 acres throughout the county using existing revenue streams.

The proposed conservation package features a wide array of projects. These include the permanent protection of North SeaTac Park, the preservation of a P-Patch and orchard alongside affordable housing in Bellevue, and the transformation of a gravel parking lot along the Duwamish River into vital salmon habitat. The initiative also prioritizes protecting agricultural land that underpins the local food economy and broadening access to trails and natural recreational spaces.

Funding for this ambitious plan will be drawn from two primary sources: $86.7 million from King County's Conservation Futures Program and $13.8 million from the King County Parks Levy. Both funding measures have strong voter backing, with the Conservation Futures tax rate restored in 2022 and the Parks Levy renewed in 2025, each passing with over 70% of the vote. This proposal aligns with the broader King County Land Conservation Initiative, which has a goal of protecting 65,000 acres of open space.

Specific projects highlight the proposal's scope. In Bellevue, a P-Patch and orchard will be preserved next to a new affordable housing development. SeaTac aims to permanently protect a portion of North SeaTac Park, a popular public space. A notable transformation involves a gravel lot in Tukwila becoming salmon habitat, building on previous restoration efforts in the area. Additionally, agricultural conservation easements will be acquired for eight farms on the Enumclaw Plateau and in the Green River Valley, supporting local food production and agricultural economies.