Kitsap County Green Stormwater Retrofit
Projects Funded

(Port Orchard, WA) – Kitsap County received four grants from the Washington State Department of Ecology to build green stormwater retrofit projects in Manchester, Illahee, Silverdale, and in some County parks. The grant funds will be combined with funds from the Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management utility. These green stormwater projects will use native plants, healthy soils, and permeable pavement to manage stormwater on properties in a cleaner, more natural way. They will result in healthier water in our streams and Puget Sound.

The Department of Ecology grants total $2,816,500 and will be used for projects totaling $5,356,000. The projects include:

• Manchester – to build bioretention areas (rain gardens) throughout the Manchester Main Street drainage area, build a regional water quality treatment facility to treat runoff from the Main Street drainage basin, and build a new Main Street stormwater outfall pipe

• County Parks – to replace and install three pervious parking lots at County Parks at Point-No-Point, Wildcat Lake and Horseshoe Lake

• Illahee – to build bioretention areas (rain gardens) throughout the Illahee Creek Headwater drainage area, retrofit an existing stormwater pond, and build a new regional stormwater treatment facility at the headwaters of Illahee Creek

• Silverdale – install planter boxes in the road right-of-way to treat commercial and road stormwater runoff in Silverdale

“Manchester badly needs stormwater infrastructure to reduce and clean runoff,” says County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido. “Currently, most rain that falls in Manchester goes directly to Puget Sound without treatment. The Manchester community has been actively involved in clean water issues, and helped prioritize the County’s stormwater planning projects. They have done a lot of research in low impact development, also known as green stormwater infrastructure. Their efforts have made a big difference and will improve the quality of life for South Kitsap residents. Swimming, boating and exploring in and around Pomeroy Park will be even better. ”

“I am pleased that Kitsap County received Department of Ecology grants to help fund projects in Illahee and Silverdale,” says Commissioner Josh Brown. “The planter boxes in Silverdale will filter pollution from the road, and reduce pollution into our waterways. This will help protect Dyes Inlet shellfish and keep our waters safe for swimming and wading in Silverdale.”

“In addition, I am excited about solving some stormwater problems in Illahee,” says Commissioner Brown. “The creek has suffered significant damage from flooding. Stormwater also flows directly into Puget Sound without treatment. This project will use natural features to slow and absorb stormwater, and will filter stormwater before it flows into Puget Sound. The Illahee community will certainly benefit from reduced flooding impacts and healthy waterways.”

“Kitsap County Parks will install permeable pavement in three parking lots adjacent to sensitive lakes and shorelines. The permeable pavement will soak up and clean stormwater runoff, improving water quality in Puget Sound,” says Dori Leckner, Superintendent with Kitsap County Parks and Recreation. “In addition to the environmental benefits, this project will provide good opportunities for public education, showing the differences between pervious and impervious surfaces and their impacts to water quality. We will monitor the permeable pavement and assess its durability and ability to soak up water.”

Department of Ecology FY 2012 Statewide Stormwater Grant Program
The Department of Ecology awarded $68 million in grants for stormwater construction projects across the state. Ecology estimates that the projects will provide up to 400 Washington jobs while protecting lakes, rivers and Puget Sound.

A list of the funded projects can be found here.

Next Steps
The Department of Ecology will negotiate the scopes of work with Kitsap County and other local jurisdictions that received funding. We anticipate having signed agreements by November 2012.

For more information
For more information about the Surface and Stormwater Management Program, visit www.kitsapgov.com/sswm.

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