The genesis goes back to 2009, when Seattle Public Utilities convened a number of such community groups for a discussion of watershed-related issues in an afternoon meeting. I had hoped to see that repeated, and was making noises about that to SPU as I was able. Finally, in June 2018, SPU did bring together another such meeting. That gathering included discussion of doing some followup organization, which Judy and Gary Olson supported on behalf of TCA. I later contacted the community attendees of that meeting, and with the positive responses to that, we were rolling down the runway.
SWA’s mission statement is this:
The mission of the community-based Seattle Watershed Alliance is to collectively work for the health of all of Seattle’s watersheds. By pooling our knowledge, experience and resources as representatives of individual watershed interests, we use our combined voices to bring issues, needs, and recommendations to the attention of the City of Seattle and King County, Washington. Using sound science and action, we work with elected officials and staffs to prioritize and address issues for the betterment of all of Seattle’s drainages and thereby elevate urban watershed stewardship to a new level of leadership and effectiveness.
So far, SWA has five Member organizations:
- Carkeek Watershed Community Action Project
- Delridge Neighborhood Development Association,
- Fauntleroy Watershed Council,
- Friends of Arboretum Creek, and
- TCA.
There’s also one Partner organization
- Sno-King Watershed Council
Gary Olson, TCA Treasurer, has been one of TCA’s reps to SWA, and has been central to the outreach to other organizations. Some of those are in the process of determining their ability to affiliate with SWA. Not all may directly link with us, but might be willing to collaborate on specific issues and initiatives. So we’re creating a Collaborator category as well.
SWA has contacted SPU to introduce ourselves, and to advocate for two things. First, we wish to see the position of Dr. Jonathan Frodge filled following his retirement, so that water quality science such as E. coli detection and response can be continued. We also stated our desire for SPU’s citizen Water Quality Advisory Committee to emphasize creeks themselves along with drainage and wastewater. Gary is on that committee, though not as a representative of TCA. However, since we wrote to SPU, we have learned that the committee will be dissolved.
SWA has also written to the members of the Seattle City Council seeking support in addressing environmental issues surrounding homeless encampments, but also looking for resources to employ when encountering the campers.
SWA, while still young, has strong hopes for a leveraged effort and good outcomes on behalf of all of Seattle’s urban watersheds. A website is in formation; we’ll link to that from the TCA website when it’s been stood up with content. Stay tuned for more news as SWA grows!
Jeff Laufle
First Vice-President
Acting Presiden
December 2020
