Dennis Clark at the January 23, 2010 salmon planting. Photo by Michael Brunk.

After serving four years as King County’s Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, Dennis Clark is resigning and moving on to greener pastures in a new gig with the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Clark will now work as the Assistant Division Manager in charge of the Orca Straits District of the Aquatic Resources Division, which includes Jefferson, Clallam, San Juan, Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties (see map).

As many of our Readers may recall, Clark has had a high profile in the Burien area, often organizing work parties, cleanup parties, salmon plantings and much more (read some of our previous coverage of his environmental exploits here).

To celebrate his new position, there will be a gathering at Elliott Bay Brewing (255 S.W. 152nd), at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 7th, so mark your calendars to drop by and say hi/goodbye.

We’re sorry to see Dennis go, as he provided a lot of great information to us here at The B-Town Blog, but we want to wish him the best in his new venture!

Here’s his resignation letter, sent out via email on Friday, April 1st (wait…could this be a joke Dennis? Sadly, we don’t think it is…):

To my friends and other interested citizens in Highline,

After four great years of working together with you to care for the land and waters of the Miller and Walker Creeks basin, I am sorry to say goodbye.  Since 2007, we’ve:

• Controlled invasive weeds on several acres
• Planted many hundreds of native trees and shrubs throughout Burien and Normandy Park
• Counted adult salmon and been thrilled by the sight of these wonderful creatures
• Marked storm drains by the dozen
• Educated many children and adults about our stream resources and how to protect them
• And had fun while doing it all!

But my involvement in these activities with you must conclude.

I have accepted a job with the Washington Department of Natural Resources. My new position is as the Assistant Division Manager in charge of the Orca Straits District of the Aquatic Resources Division.  The Orca Straits District includes Jefferson, Clallam, San Juan, Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties (see map).  State aquatic lands include the bedlands of rivers and Puget Sound and some shorelines and tidelands.  Unlike state forest lands, for which the state has a “fiduciary trust” to generate revenue from, aquatic lands are a “public trust” and revenue generation is a secondary objective after environmental value, water-dependent uses, public access, and navigation.   One of the reasons I am taking this job is that DNR is taking a robust approach to environmental stewardship of aquatic resources under Commissioner Goldmark – see the 2010 – 2014 Strategic Plan.  In my new job, I will work with a 12-person team to manage aquatic resources sustainably, make decisions based on good science, and make decisions in the public interest and in a transparent manner.

This job is not just an exciting opportunity for me to advance professionally.  My wife Lynne and I have been long wanting to move to a smaller community in north Sound.  The DNR office is in Sedro-Woolley; we will initially live in Anacortes.

While the new job and lifestyle are exciting draws, it is with a mix of sadness and pride that I leave my 10 year job at King County and my more recent four year partnership with the Highline community.  We’ve done a lot of good work together and  I will always value:

• You tireless volunteers who came out year after year – mostly in sunny weather because that’s how I schedule my projects! – to whack weeds, plant trees, and count salmon.  I would like to list all of you my name but it would double the length of this e-mail (and I wouldn’t want to risk forgetting anyone!).
• Property owners who have stepped up to be good stewards of their land, including the Normandy Park Community Club, Normandy Park Swim Club, Village at Miller’s Creek Homeowners Association, Three Tree Community Church, and many single-family homeowners.
• Those dedicated to the vital task of educating young people, especially the Environmental Science Center and the Waskowitz Environmental Leadership Semester program at Highline School District.  Your success will ensure the long-term value of our stewardship.
• The dedicated city/agency staff in all five partner governments.  One of the reasons I was (almost!) always able to answer questions or respond to requests from the public was because I had great support.
• The elected leadership of the Cities of Burien, Normandy Park, and SeaTac and the Port of Seattle.  It is only because of financial contributions decided on by your elected officials that King County was able to partner with the community.  I expect that their commitment will continue to match yours.

For those of you with whom I have active projects, I will contact you soon about transition issues if I haven’t done so already.  My last day in the office will be Friday, April 15.

My supervisor Doug Osterman is dedicated to finding a replacement to continue working with you and our partner governments.  We are working to identify the highest priority activities that the new person should focus on when he or she begins.  I’ve kept good records of what we’ve done and how we’ve done it, which also will help the new person.  You can contact Doug directly at doug.osterman@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-8069.

Because working with you has been more than just a job, I’d like the chance to say goodbye personally to the many of you I consider my friends.  I’ll be meeting with some of you at Elliott Bay Brewing, across from the Burien Library/City Hall, at 255 S.W. 152^nd, at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 7.  I’d welcome anyone else to drop by to say goodbye between 5 and 7 p.m. If you’re sure you’ll stop by, please RSVP by Wednesday, 5 p.m., so I can let the restaurant know what minimum number of people to expect.

I’ve enjoyed working with you and take heart in knowing you will continue our important work after I’ve moved north.

Dennis Clark

206-296-1909   additional contact information
Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward
Miller/Walker Creeks Basin Stewardship

Looks like the Creature from the B-Town Lagoon continues to hang (or should we say swim) around – Miller/Walker Creek Steward Dennis Clark reports that the most recent tests of Lake Burien shows a 45% increase in the level of toxic algae.

This most recent test, conducted Wednesday, Oct. 13th at the south shoreline of the lake, showed results of 815 micrograms per liter of toxic algae. The previous test, done the week before, showed a reading of 563 micrograms per liter. This is a 45% increase, and far above the 6 micrograms per lieter state-recommended caution level.

Residents are advised to keep dogs and small children out of the lake as a precaution.

According to Clark:

The lake is still producing toxic algae and residents should continue following previously recommended steps to avoid ingesting algae (download here, PDF file).

Dogs and small children should be kept out of the lake to minimize risk to their health.

Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, tells us that the Community Salmon Investigation for Highline – aka “CSI: Highline” – has garnered great interest from the Burien, Normandy Park, and SeaTac communities, and that training begins this Thursday, Oct. 7th.

If you haven’t yet signed up, don’t fear – back-up Investigators are still needed.

Thursday’s training session will run from 4pm – 6pm at Normandy Park City Hall Council Chambers, located at 801 SW 174th Street in Normandy Park.

Clark encourages all CSIers to wear comfortable and weather-appropriate clothes as you will be outside the City Hall building (but not in the streams) for a half hour.

Here’s the draft Agenda:

1. Introductions.
2. Purpose of the Community Salmon Investigation: Highline: Not just a catchy acronym.
3. Investigating Carcasses for “Pre-Spawn Mortality”: Let’s cut up dead bodies!
   We will have salmon carcasses and demonstrate how to cut them open.  Bring the kids – seriously!  Steve Damm, US Fish & Wildlife Service, has been running pre-spawn mortality surveys in Longfellow Creek in West Seattle and will be the “visiting forensic investigator” for this activity.
4. Identifying Salmon: Actually, they don’t all look alike.
   PowerPoint presentations they way they were meant to be used – fast and mostly visuals.
5. How to Monitor: It’s not just a walk in the Park.
   Safety requirements, equipment, property access and locations, how to walk the streams, recognizing/marking redds, and how to record data.
6. Teams and Scheduling: Speed dating for salmon lovers.
   Pairing up individual volunteers; how to request a backup volunteer for schedule conflicts; liability waivers; and distributions of supplies.

Here are more details from Clark:

RSVP AND SUPPORT
RSVP. If you cannot make the training, please let me know. Everyone will benefit from it but it is vital that at least one person from each team go through the training. If you are an individual (currently unmatched) volunteer and cannot attend, I will pair you up with someone who gets the training and will send you the training materials.

Also, I will accompany each team on their first or second investigation in October and then once or twice during the season for quality control.  So while we will cover a lot of info, you don’t have to master all of it on October 7. You will also be able to call me most any time for coaching when dealing with new/unexpected issues.

SURVEY PLAN
Click here to download the DRAFT Survey Plan for CSI: Highline (as a .doc file). This will be further revised and expanded by October 7 but at present it describes the basic steps the volunteers will follow. You will note that there is a lot of discussion about recording data. This is because good data collection is essential to produce reliable information about the creek. Good data collection is something anyone who is detail-oriented and a keen observer can do.

Please read the DRAFT Survey Plan to begin to familiarize yourself with the data collection protocols. We will go over the protocols on October 7 but reading the plan now will prepare your brain!

MORE VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Response to the CSI: Highline program notice has been great and we currently have enough volunteers to field seven two-person teams, one for each day of the week.  We also have one backup volunteer but I would like more since there will be inevitable attrition. If we get enough “backups”, we may establish three-person teams from which two members survey on their given day of the week. Three-person teams can establish their own “rotations” based on interest and availability of the members. This will lighten the load for all and increase certainty that there will be two-person teams surveying each day, which is very important for data quality.

If you talk to people who are interested, please invite them to the training session. (Also, some of you stewardship “regulars” are BCC’ed – you’d make great “backup” volunteers given your knowledge of and dedication to the streams! Join us for the training session if you’re tempted.)

CONTACT INFO
For more information, contact Dennis Clark at 206-296-1909 or via email at Dennis.Clark@kingcounty.gov.

RSVP
EVERYONE SHOULD RSVP for the October 7 training by 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 6.

Thank you for your interest in CSI: Highline.  This is an exciting program that relies on your energy and enthusiasm to gather valuable information on stream health.  I look forward to working with you all.

Looks like the Creature from the B-Town Lagoon might be back folks – Miller/Walker Creek Steward Dennis Clark says that the most recent tests for toxic algae in Lake Burien shows a dramatic increase.

According to Clark’s report, a Sept. 21st sampling from a different part of the lake shows algae at 698.0 micrograms per liter, up from the Sept. 14th results of 2.68 micrograms per liter – a very dramatic increase.

However, the most recent sampling was done at the northeast outlet to the lake, in an area that contained “thick algae scum.”

Clark still recommends that lake users should keep small children and pets out of the water, as well as to avoid areas with algae scum.

Here’s what Clark had to say about this news:

It remains very important for Lake Burien users to avoid the algae scums.

The microcystin (toxicity) result from the September 21 sample of algae at Lake Burien was 698.0 micrograms per liter.  These are final, confirmed results.

I observed the collection of the September 21 sample at the northeast outlet to the lake.  The sample contained thick algae scum.  We should assume that any other algae concentrations in the lake may have similarly high concentrations of microcystin.

Although the latest results represent a dramatic change from the September 14 results of 2.68 micrograms per liter, the September 14 results were of clear lake water.

My provisional recommendations based on my discussion with Ecology staff – until I hear otherwise from my County colleagues – is that lake users should continue to avoid algae scums.  People should continue to keep small children and dogs out of the water so they do not inadvertently ingest algae. Older children and adults should follow all the guidelines in the summary sheet posted here.

Clearly, the lake is still producing toxic algae even if concentrations in the water column are below the state recommended “caution level” of 6.0 micrograms per liter. Next week, we may sample both any scums found AND clear water to quantify the relationship between the toxin concentrations in the different types of samples.

Clark also did similar tests at Arbor Lake, and here’s what he found there:

Your readers may be interested to know that I also found algae scum at Arbor Lake on September 21.  l had that scum sampled for microcystin (the toxin in the algae) as well.  Although microcystin was present, it was at the very low level of 0.096 micrograms per liter (far below the 6.0 micrograms per liter state recommended “caution level”).

Also regarding Arbor Lake, last night (Thursday, Sept. 23rd), Steve Roemer from Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services held a meeting at Arbor Lake Park with neighbors to learn about their concerns and desires for park management now that the park is part of the city of Burien.  About 30 neighbors came out for this meeting.  Sgt. Henry McLaughlin from the Sheriff’s Office and I also participated.  I thought it was a productive meeting because the neighbors have a long history with their park and had many practical ideas for improving it over time.  I was impressed at how they were quick to recognize the challenges of balancing multiple goals: recreation, public safety, ecological health.  They also listened to each other and occasionally offered constructive criticism for each other’s ideas.  Not every community meeting is marked by those dynamics!  The residents were very complimentary about improvements in police responsiveness in recent years that have made the park safer and reduced the level of unsavory activities.  Neighbors also were pleased with the increase in maintenance in recent months following the annexation to Burien.  In my role as the Miller/Walker Creeks basin steward, I benefited by getting answers to a lot of questions I had about how the lake functions.  The meeting ended with several neighbors expressing hope that the city will take advantage of their high level of community interest to work together to improve the park.  Nice!

Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, sent us an update about levels of the toxic blue-green algae recently found in Lake Burien:

On Tuesday, September 14, a water sample was taken from Lake Burien and analyzed for the presence of toxins in the algae.  Results came back Friday (Sept. 17).

The latest sample showed a substantial decrease in the algae toxin (microcystin) from 6.0 micrograms per liter (on September 7) to 2.68 micrograms per liter (on Sept. 14).  This new concentration is well below the state’s proposed recreational guideline “caution level” of 6.0 micrograms per liter.  Although this latest result was far below the state guideline, it came from a sample of visibly clear lake water, unlike previous samples that contained algae scum in which the toxins are more concentrated. This suggests that the toxin may still be present in higher concentrations in any algae scums that do remain around the lake.

We will take another sample Monday.

With the cool, rainy weather forecast for the next few days, we would expect the concentrations to continue to diminish.

On Thursday (Sept. 9th), we received word from Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward Dennis Clark that the latest water sample taken from Lake Burien for the toxic algae showed an actual 36% decrease

While the decrease lowers the amount of algae to the state’s “caution level,” King County staff still recommend that small children and dogs be kept out of the lake for now.

The next sampling will take place on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

“The creature from the Black Lagoon is going to rest easy soon, we hope,” Clark said in an email.

According to Clark:

The latest sample showed a decrease in the algae toxin (microcystin) from 9.4 micrograms per liter (on August 30) to 6.0 micrograms per liter.

This new concentration is at the state’s proposed recreational guideline “caution level” of 6.0 micrograms per liter.

Consequently, King County staff are leaving unchanged their recommendations for ways to reduce exposure.

In particular, people should keep small children and dogs out of the water.

Older children and adults should follow the guidelines in the summary sheet posted here.

We will sample again next Monday/Tuesday.

- Dennis

A toxic blue-green algae bloom was recently discovered in Lake Burien, but may not be visible in this panoramic photo (click to see larger image). Photo taken Aug. 12, 2010 by Scott Schaefer.

by Scott Schaefer

A toxic blue-green algae bloom was recently discovered in Lake Burien – whose shoreline residents have extolled the quality of its water – by King County water resource staff.

“Blue-green algae was first observed by King County staff working with lake neighbors on invasive plant control on Lake Burien on August 16,” Dennis Clark, public outreach/ stewardship coordinator for Watershed Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 9, has informed the city.

WRIA 9 encompasses the Green/Duwamish watershed and the central Puget Sound region.

Clark said county staff took a sample of the algae and analyzed it during the week, confirming on Aug. 20 that it is blue-green algae – which can cause health problems for people and dogs.

“Residents should take steps to minimize their exposure to this algae” and keep their dogs from drinking lake water, he added. Swimmers and retrieval dogs should stay out of areas of the lake where the water is scummy.

Nitrogen and phosphorus, which come from lawn and garden fertilizers, are primary nutrients for algae,” Clark noted. “Residents can reduce the amount of nutrients and enhance the lake through a variety of steps.”

Here is detailed information about blue-green algae included in the notice from King County to Burien:

What is the algae and what does it look like?
The algae is cyanobacteria and is commonly called blue-green algae. A blue-green algae bloom often looks like green paint floating on the water and is hard to pick up or hold. It can take the form of a scum. Despite its name, it can be a range of colors including bright green, blue-green, olive, yellow-brown, and red. Because the algaeis often at the surface, the wind blows it around and it can get caught up in shoreline vegetation.

King County steward Dennis Clark.

Why is blue-green algae a cause for concern?
The Washington State Department of Ecology notes that some blue-green algae blooms pose a human health concern and have killed pets and livestock. Although most blue-green blooms are not toxic, some blue-green algae produce nervous system or liver toxins. Toxicity is hard to predict, especially by sight. The size or intensity of the scum do not indicate the toxicity. A single species of algae can have toxic and non-toxic strains. A bloom that tests non-toxic one day can become toxic the next day.

People may become ill after swimming or water skiing in lakes with toxic blue-green algae. Human health effects may include stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, and nerve and liver damage. Pets and wildlife have died after exposure to toxic blue-green algae in Washington lakes.

What is the type and concentration of blue-green algae in Lake Burien?
The type of blue-green algae found on Lake Burien produces toxins that harm the liver, known as hepatotoxins. The analysis showed this type of toxin present at a concentration of 5.72 micrograms per liter. This concentration is just below the state’s proposed recreational guideline of 6 micrograms per liter. Note that this sample represents a shoreline concentration as opposed to a whole lake average. Because the toxin is concentrated mostly in the algae, in this case found along the shore, concentrations of the toxin in the open water of the lake may well be lower.

How should I reduce my exposure to this algae and its toxins?
Lake Burien residents should take steps to reduce their potential exposure to toxins that may be in the water:

• People should avoid swimming, playing, or boating in areas where the water is scummy or blue-green algae has accumulated.
• Swimmers should take care to minimize accidental ingestion of water.
• Clean fish well and discard the guts.

The most immediate health risk – given the current low level of toxins present – is to dogs. Owners should take care to keep their dogs from drinking lake water. Owners should avoid “retrieval” games with dogs who will ingest water when fetching balls or sticks in the water. Dogs should be kept out of the scum because they can ingest the algae when cleaning themselves.

How long is the algae going to be a problem?
Blue-green algae will die out with the onset of cold weather but may be present in the lake into November. King County staff will sample algae every two weeks if algae continue to be reported. The Washington State Department of Ecology pays for the cost of analyzing samples.

Cyanobacteria health effects may include stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, and nerve and liver damage.

How can I learn more about blue-green algae?
A good source of information in the Washington State Department of Ecology’s website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/algae/index.html

More general information on algae in local lakes is here (PDF file).

What if I see blue-green algae in the lake at my property?
Please report sightings of blue-green algae to the Miller/Walker Creek basin steward Dennis Clark, dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov, or at 206-296-1909. Reports on the presence of algae will help staff determine when and where to take future samples.

How can I stay informed of the results of future algae samplings?
Sampling results will be posted at the Miller/Walker basin web page: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/watersheds/central-puget-sound/miller-walker-creeks.aspx

If algae conditions worsen significantly, you will be notified through this newsletter, local media, and notices sent to shoreline properties. You may contact Miller/Walker Creek basin steward Dennis Clark, dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov, or at 206-296-1909 at any time to learn more.

Is there anything we can do to reduce the likelihood blue-green algae will recur in future years?
A big driver of algae blooms are nutrient inputs including nitrogen and phosphorous. Residents can reduce the amount of nutrients and enhance the lake through a variety of steps. Many of these steps are associated with lawn and garden care. For more information, please see the “Living with Lakes” website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/lakes/facts/garden.aspx

The first salmon of the season on Miller Creek was sighted last Saturday at the Cove in Normandy Park, and stream steward Dennis Clark is putting the call out for volunteers this Saturday (Oct. 17th) to “help create a more healthy stream for this fish and its buddies.”

Here are the details:

WHAT: Help plant 37 trees and do a final bit of weeding on Miller Creek (at South 144th St. west of Des Moines Memorial Drive) in Burien. You’ll work under the yellowing leaves of the cottonwoods and enjoy a classic fall day out-of-doors.

• Do you care about a healthy environment for your children?
• Do you want to improve Highline for fish, wildlife, and people?
• Do you like caring for trees that you’ll be able to watch grow year by year?
• Do you want to get rid of the stress of the workweek by whacking non-native, invasive weeds?
• Do you want to meet some of your Highline neighbors?

If so, recruit your friends and family and join us to help restore a section of Miller Creek!

We will weed and mulch around trees and shrubs planted in October 2007 and October 2008; we will plant some new trees

What do you need?

• An eager attitude
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Water bottle
• Gloves (if you have them)
• We provide gloves, tools, and snacks!

WHEN: Planting time is 9am this Saturday, October 17. With enough volunteers, we can get the work done in two hours.

WHERE: South 144th Street, one block west of Des Moines Memorial Drive (northeast Burien, just north of SR 518 and east of SR 509 (see map below).

INFO: For more details, download the flier here (PDF)

RSVP: RSVP so Dennis can provide enough tools and doughnuts for all. If you are a student, please have your parent/guardian download and complete this form (.doc file).

Want to plant trees but can’t make this date? I have another planting project with a private group that would welcome other volunteers on Sunday, October 25, 9 a.m. Let me know if you’d like to join.

This project is a cooperative effort of the Cities of Burien, Normandy Park, and SeaTac; the Port of Seattle; and King County. These governments are working with residents to improve water quality and create healthy streams in the Miller and Walker Creek basins.

Advance sign-up is encouraged to help us plan.

For sign up and questions, contact Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at: 206-296-1909.

Volunteers are sought to help remove the remaining ivy and other invasive plants around the restored area to ensure its revegetation with native plants is wildly successful.

• Do you want to be the first to see the recent Walker Creek restoration?
• Do you care about a healthy environment for your children?
• Do you want to get rid of the stress of the work week by whacking non-native, invasive weeds?
• If so, recruit your friends and family and join us to help restore a section of Walker Creek!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Walker Creek Preserve Stewardship Work Party

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 3rd from 9am to Noon

WHERE: Walker Creek Preserve in Normandy Park; enter through a gate off First Ave South just south of Normandy Park Assisted Living Center at 16625 First Ave South.

If driving, your parking options include:

• Two-three spaces for high clearance vehicles just inside the gate
• Four-five spaces at the far southeast corner of the Assisted Living center (staff said it would be okay for us to use this area); immediately turn left after entering off First Ave.; cars will have to park head-to-tail
• Three spaces in the small lot at SW 171st St. and Second Ave. SW
• On the street along S. 168th St. on the east side of First Ave. S.

INFO: We will continue the work of removing English ivy from trees and the forest floor along Walker Creek.

What do you need?

• An eager attitude
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Water bottle
• Gloves (if you have them)

We provide gloves, tools, and snacks!

This project is a cooperative effort of the Cities of Normandy Park, Burien, and SeaTac; the Port of Seattle; and King County. These governments are working with residents to improve water quality and create healthy streams in the Miller and Walker Creek basins.

RSVP: Please RSVP in advance so a donut with your name on it is saved; to sign up or get more info, contact Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, at:

• dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov
• 206-296-1909

On Monday (Sept. 21st), a merry band of men who never lost their childhood sense of joy in playing in streams set off down Miller Creek in Burien and Normandy Park. Their grown up mission was to carefully assess and, where necessary, remove debris jams that block upstream salmon passage. With coho salmon due to return next month, now was the time to do this work.

Stream steward Dennis Clark, assisted by enthusiastic volunteers Andy Batcho, Jim Buchman, and Dave Evans, organized the project. Accompanying them was a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist, the aptly named Larry Fisher. The B-Town Blog’s own Michael Brunk, who thought he came along merely to take photos, also ended up helping to move the largest logs.

Click below to view his Photo Slideshow:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Salmon are persistent and agile fish and often can swim under, through, and over what appear to be complete blockages. However, in smaller streams such as Miller and Walker Creeks, some jams are complete blockages that would limit the ability of the fish to reach the upper parts of the stream where they would lay their eggs (spawn). At the same time, tree trunks and limbs in the stream provide an important role in creating pools where young salmon rear. Wood also provides shelter where young fish can hide from predators such as great blue herons. Consequently, the team carefully assessed each log/debris jam before deciding to take action. Larry provided the expertise and authority to determine which jams should be removed. Removal of jams in the stream – and most activities affecting the stream channel – require state approval. Based on their evaluation, the team disassembled two blockages. A third was too big for the equipment they had and they’ll return later this week to disassemble a part of that.

The debris jams on Miller Creek were on private property and the team thanks the various property owners who graciously granted property access.

This work complements ongoing efforts to improve streamside habitat, both by private property owners and through organized volunteer projects stretching from the Cove in Normandy Park to the restoration site on Miller Creek at S. 144th St. in Burien. October offers volunteer restoration opportunities on Miller and Walker Creeks on three Saturdays:

• Oct. 3rd
• Oct. 10th
• Oct. 17th

Learn more at the volunteer webpage here.

If you’re interested in volunteering on future stream blockage removals, contact Dennis at 206-296-1909, or via email: dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov.