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Environment Projects
The types of environmental projects that could be paid for with stimulus dollars include ones that promote water quality and ones that fight global warming. For some projects, funding will be distributed directly to cities through a specific federal agency. For others, it will be funneled through state agencies. Water quality projects that protect our drinking water supply and address pollution in lakes, rivers and streams will be eligible for federal stimulus money. Other environment projects could focus on ways to protect the climate, such as by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Reducing Petroleum Use
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides the U.S. Department of Energy with $300 million for grants for cost-shared projects that expand the use of alternative fueled vehicles and advanced technology vehicles. The installation or acquisition of infrastructure necessary to directly support an alternative fueled vehicle or advanced technology vehicle is also eligible. Operation and maintenance of vehicles, infrastructure and other associated equipment acquired through the program are also allowable within specified limits. In May 2009, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency -- Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition (PSCCC) submitted its $15 million proposal for a petroleum reduction project that aims to create an enduring regional collaborative framework to maximize petroleum reduction opportunities in Washington state. The Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition will accomplish this through the collective acquisition of more than 650 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, and the development of alternative fueling infrastructure with fuel from local and sustainable sources. The project is a collaboration of public agencies, universities, colleges, and businesses. Seattle is participant and thus a subgrantee for this project.
Proposal
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Amount
Requested
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Funding
Source
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Status
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PSCCC Proposal
Seattle's portion of this project will bring 15 heavy-duty hybrid (diesel/electric) work trucks into the City of Seattle's fleet, which will result in the reduction of more than 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year. This project will also provide electric vehicle charging stations on City property, with at least 75 percent of the electric plug-ins being accessible to the public. Seattle will spend a minimum of $3.6 million in required cost-sharing in support of this project.
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$1.4 million
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Department of Energy - Clean Cities Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the Transportation Sector
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Recommended for funding
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Protecting Our Drinking Water Supply
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) received $38.5 million of stimulus funding from the federal Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water construction projects. Awards were capped at $6 million per project. On March 23, 2009, DOH announced its list of recommended projects, which includes a $6 million low-interest loan for Seattle's Maple Leaf Reservoir Burial Project. Seattle submitted four proposals:
Proposal |
Amount
Requested |
Funding
Source |
Status |
Maple Leaf Reservoir Burial Project
This project replaces an open 60 million gallon reservoir with underground structures that will improve the quality and security of our water supply. |
$6 million |
Drinking Water State
Revolving Fund |
Recommended for funding |
Morse Lake Power Supply Project
Chester Morse Lake is the major storage reservoir for Seattle's water supply and pumps are required to provide water during drought conditions. This project moves the generators that power the pumps to reduce the possibility of contaminating the water supply. |
$6 million |
Drinking Water State
Revolving Fund |
Not currently recommended for funding* |
Myrtle Tank 2 Structural Improvements
This project will re-coat a 1 million gallon elevated steel water tank to ensure continued protection of treated drinking water, as well as make structural and safety improvements to allow continued maintenance and inspection.
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$1.304 million |
Drinking Water State
Revolving Fund |
Not currently recommended for funding* |
Control Works Surge Tanks Cover
A standpipe is a water tank that is taller than it is wide. This project will cover two standpipes on the Cedar Transmission system, which delivers 2/3 of the water supplied by Seattle, to prevent introduction of airborne contamination into water supply.
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$1.019 million |
Drinking Water State
Revolving Fund |
Not currently recommended for funding* |
*States are at risk of having their Recovery Act funding re-allocated if projects do not move forward on the required timeframes, so it may be possible for state agencies to make additional project awards from the current ranked list.
Protecting Our Water Quality
The Washington State Department of Ecology received $65 million of stimulus funding from the federal Environmental Protection Agency for water-quality projects. In addition, Ecology re-opened its award process for three other funding sources, one of which was about $58 million from its regular 2008 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) allocation. Seattle submitted three proposals:
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Proposal
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Amount
Requested |
Funding
Source |
Status |
South Park Pump Station
This project will address water pollution problems, as well as significant and chronic flooding within the South Park neighborhood, by building a pump station and a water quality treatment facility. |
$8.785 million |
Clean Water State
Revolving Fund |
Not currently recommended for SRF funding
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) plans proceeding with this project using rate dollars and other grants
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Venema Creek Natural
Drainage Systems
This project will improve water quality and regulate flows in Venema Creek, a tributary to Piper's Creek, which drains to Puget Sound a little north of Shilshole Bay. |
$4.742 million |
Clean Water State
Revolving Fund |
$4.742 million low-interest loan awarded from 2008 SRF pool*
SPU recommends not proceeding with this project at this time due to budgetary constraints
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Ballard Green Streets
This project will retrofit 10 city blocks in north Ballard with biofiltration swales – wide, flat-bottomed ditches planted with thick vegetation – to control runoff and naturally treat stormwater.
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$1.547 million |
Clean Water State
Revolving Fund |
[Upgraded award] $1.547 million ARRA stimulus funds award, featuring 50% loan forgiveness and a 2.9% interest on the remainder.
SPU recommends proceeding with this project |
* Because this award is not stimulus funding, Recovery Act timeframes, reporting requirements and other provisions do not apply.
States are at risk of having their Recovery Act funding re-allocated if projects do not move forward on the required timeframes, so it may be possible for state agencies to make additional project awards from their ranked lists. SPU and the Mayor's Office will actively monitor developments.
Restoring Our Aquatic Habitat
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is awarding $167 million of stimulus money for marine and coastal habitat restoration projects in a nationally competitive grant process, part of the $830 million in total stimulus money that the agency received. Potential habitat awards range from $500,000 to $20 million and are intended for midscale projects that improve aquatic habitat for threatened or endangered species, such as Chinook salmon. Seattle submitted four proposals totaling more than $9 million. The Puget Sound Partnership endorsed Seattle's Tolt River floodplain restoration project in its list of "priority" projects for the region.
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Proposal
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Amount
Requested
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Funding
Source
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Status
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Lower Tolt River Floodplain Reconnection Project
This project replaces an existing flood control levee in Carnation, Washington, with a fish-friendly design that reconnects 45 acres of habitat to natural river processes. Species benefiting include the threatened Chinook salmon, as well as coho salmon, pink salmon and steelhead trout. Seattle receives approximately 30 percent of its drinking water from the Tolt river watershed.
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$1 million
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NOAA Habitat Restoration
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Not recommended for funding
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Thornton Creek Confluence Floodplain Restoration Project
This project replaces utility culverts and restores floodplain area in Seattle's Thornton Creek. The fish-friendly design restores 500 feet of active channel length, 16,000 square feet of active channel area and 44,000 square feet of riparian habitat near the intersections of 100th Street and 35th Avenue Northeast and Meadowbrook pond.
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$4.505 million
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NOAA Habitat Restoration
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Not recommended for funding
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South Fork Thornton Fish Passage and Floodplain Restoration
This project removes fish passage barriers to a mile of stream habitat and restores approximately 3.5 acres of floodplain in the south fork of Seattle's Thornton creek, near 105th Street and 17th Avenue Northeast, and along Knickerbocker Reach at 100th Street Northeast.
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$2.7 million
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NOAA Habitat Restoration
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Not recommended for funding
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Taylor Creek / Cedar River Confluence Restoration
This project removes an abandoned railroad trestle and other debris along Taylor Creek in Maple Valley, Washington, restoring 1,500 feet of stream access in the Cedar River watershed and 600 feet of spawning and rear access for Chinook and steelhead salmon. Seattle receives approximately 70 percent of its drinking water from the Cedar river watershed.
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$800,000
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NOAA Habitat Restoration
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Not recommended for funding
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We will update this page with information regarding our specific proposals as they are submitted.
Bids for federal stimulus projects are posted on the City Purchasing Bid Advertisements & Announcements Web site.
Updated: September 4, 2009
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