On August 20, more than 100 guests met at the Cedar River Watershed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Cedar River Watershed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The event brought together past and present staff, committee members, and partners to reflect on the hard work and collaboration that has defined this long-term conservation effort.
What is the Habitat Conservation Plan?
The Cedar River Watershed HCP is a 50-year plan created under the Endangered Species Act. Adopted in 2000, its purpose is twofold:
- Protects Seattle’s drinking water supply and power operations.
- Protects homes for 82 types of fish and wildlife.
This plan balances the needs of our growing city with protecting nature. The Cedar River provides about 60% of the Seattle area’s drinking water.
A celebration of partners
The celebration honored the dedication of the many people and organizations involved in the HCP’s success. Amy LaBarge, Seattle Public Utilities’ Watershed Management Division Director, emceed the program and featured speakers who shared their perspectives on the plan’s past, present, and future.
Jim Erckmann – How the plan started
Jim Erckmann has been on the HCP Oversight Committee for many years. He talked about creating the plan and how it was “highly political” with many challenges like:
- Distrust between groups.
- Complex issues about river flows.
- Questions about logging.
These challenges led to creating committees and a clear process. “It was not something that had been done before,” Jim said.
Andrew Lee – What we’ve achieved
Andrew Lee, General Manager for Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), talked about the HCP’s successes:
- Salmon returned above the Landsburg Dam.
- Habitat restoration projects along the Cedar River.
- Better forest and road management.
- Important research and monitoring.
- Water conservation education.
Andrew thanked the sixteen groups on the HCP Oversight Committee. Many have been partners for years.
Julia Munger – Looking ahead
Julia Munger is SPU’s Natural Resources Manager. She talked about what to expect over the next 25 years. We face new challenges like:
- Managing forests to reduce wildfire risk.
- Adapting to changes in snow and rain patterns.
Julia feels excited about the future because of strong City support, dedicated partners, and our focus on science.
Dawn Lindell – Closing thoughts
Dawn Lindell, General Manager and CEO for City Light, gave closing remarks. She called the HCP “a unique, long-term program dedicated to supporting natural resources and providing drinking water and hydroelectric power.”
Dawn thanked the many partners who have made this work possible, including:
- Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
- Federal and state agencies
- Non-profit groups
- City of Seattle leadership and staff from the 1990s to today
What’s next?
The 25th anniversary showed what we can achieve through partnership and shared commitment. The HCP will continue to guide our work. We will protect our watershed and ensure clean water for future generations.