Snohomish County Public Works is basking in the glow of recognition after receiving the Governor's Smart Communities Award for the innovative Little Bear Creek Advance Mitigation Site (LBCAMS), a project that redefines the approach to wetland mitigation and ensures future savings for taxpayers. The county's creative solution not only streamlines the process but has also caught the eye of the state for its land use planning and development merits, as reported by the Snohomish County Government website.
Governor Jay Inslee emphasized the project's role in shaping perceptions of the state, mentioning, "Each year, I get to elevate plans, projects or partnerships that change how we see our state." Seemingly more than just a nod to sustainability, LBCAMS is poised to save the county upwards of $30 million on road projects, according to the county's announcement.
The project, which has turned 17 acres into a protected wetland and received an award from the American Public Works Association, was the result of concerted efforts by dedicated professionals. Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers lauded the Public Works team, stating, "This project exemplifies innovation and will allow the Public Works team to continue making infrastructure improvements to benefit our residents. This award is an incredibly well-deserved honor and I’m grateful to everyone who had a hand in bringing the mitigation site to life." This sentiment echoes the project's impact, which, as outlined by Snohomish County Public Works Director Kelly Snyder, aims at "significant financial savings and a strong ecological impact," as per the county's news release.
LBCAMS, which started taking shape in 2017, is a testimony to the edge that collaborative efforts and proactive planning can afford a community. Not just content with restoring a once degraded piece of wetland, the project leads by example, and now, Snohomish County Public Works Deputy Director and County Engineer Doug McCormick, credits the seamless coordination between Public Works, design consultant Environmental Science Associates (ESA), and Accord Contractors for the project's success. "This award is a testament to our team’s innovation, collaboration, and proactive thinking to be strong environmental and fiscal stewards as we implement projects outlined in the county’s Comprehensive Plan," McCormick stated on the county's website.
The Governor’s Smart Communities Awards, a yearly tradition since 2006, highlight the exemplary steps local governments take in shaping communities in line with the Growth Management Act. This year, the awards bestowed recognition on 12 winners across the state of Washington, each showing that the hard work often happens on the ground level within the community itself, as remarked by Commerce Director Mike Fong.
