Soak it in, Let it Bloom: Rain Garden Cost-Share Program
(Port Orchard, WA) - The Kitsap
Conservation District (KCD) Rain Garden Cost-Share Program is well underway
with over 50 property owners participating. These residents in unincorporated
Kitsap have received technical assistance visits from specially trained
Conservation District staff or WSU Master Gardeners. Once their garden is
designed and installed, they are eligible for a rebate of ½ the cost of the
garden, up to $500. Property owners may install the garden themselves or
hire a contractor. “Rain gardens are one way to slow down water from rain
storms and reduce the damage of high energy storm flows”, states Joy Garitone, District Coordinator of the Kitsap Conservation District, “the
goal of ‘slow-water’ allows time for the gardens’ infiltration to clean the
water by removing pollutants from the driveway and lawns.”
Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management
(SSWM) decided to share the investment of encouraging residents to soak
runoff into the ground and provides the cost share funds to the KCD. Mindy
Fohn, Water Quality Manager at SSWM says, “In 2009 we held pilot workshops
and asked folks what they thought. They clearly told us that a rain garden
is not simple to install, and could be a little spendy. We heard them and
partnered with WSU and KCD to provide field assistance and some share in the
cost.”
Additional Information:
Fall is the perfect time to install a rain garden. KCD has set the
target for 2010 to provide assistance to 100 residential properties. There
are several sites where homeowners can see new and established rain gardens:
- Kitsap Conservation District 10332 Central Valley Rd, Poulsbo
- RoadHouse Nursery 12511 Central Valley Road NW, Poulsbo
- Stillwaters Environmental Center 26059 Barber Cut Off Road, Kingston
- Illahee Preserve 3200 NE Riddell Road, Bremerton
- Home Builders Association 5251 Auto Center Way
- Breidablik Elementary School 25142 Waghorn Road NW, Poulsbo
For more information about rain gardens:
Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington Homeowners
Kitsap Conservation District program
Rain Gardens for Kitsap County
Raingarden at Roadhouse Nursery
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