FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications, tjumper@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Stacy Ellifritt, Media and Communications, stacy.ellifritt@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2005
Community Invited to Give Input on New Watershed Management Plan
The City of Tacoma’s Environmental Services Department is currently developing the City’s first Urban Watershed Management Plan. This plan will help prioritize actions to protect streams, wetlands, lakes, and shoreline habitats from pollutants carried in stormwater.
The community can get involved and learn more by visiting the online open house website at Tacomaurbanwatersheds.com and completing an online community survey to share what stormwater actions are important in their neighborhood. The survey is open now through Friday, October 15, 2021.
The City will also host two virtual community workshops to inform residents about the planning process and to gather feedback. The first of these virtual workshops are on Saturday, September 25, from 1 -2:30 p.m., and the second is on Tuesday, September 28, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Registration is now open and can be found here. City and project staff will be available at each virtual workshop to answer questions.
“We’ve heard from community members over the past few years about their priorities around climate action, our urban forests, pedestrian safety, clean water, clean air, and equitable investments around the city,” said Environmental Services Stormwater Engineer Shauna Hansen. “With this watershed prioritization plan, we would like to dive even deeper to see which of these priorities are the most important in each neighborhood so we can identify stormwater solutions specific to that area.”
For more information on the Urban Watershed Management Plan, visit cityoftacoma.org/healthywatersheds or contact Stormwater Engineer Shauna Hansen at SHansen2@cityoftacoma.org or call (253) 502-2284. Comments can also be emailed to healthywatersheds@cityoftacoma.org or mailed to: Watershed Management Plan Community Feedback, Center for Urban Waters, Attn: Shauna Hansen, 326 E D Street Tacoma, WA 98421-1801.
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