HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Black_River_High_Use_Engine_Replacement_FinalDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Black River High Use Engine Replacement_Final
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM SHORELINE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: July 10, 2026
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA26-000228, SME
PROJECT NAME: Black River Pump Station High Use Engine Replacement
PROJECT MANAGER: Mariah Kerrihard, Associate Planner
APPLICANT: John Dan Brubaker, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
201 S Jackson St, Suite 6300, Seattle WA 98104
OWNER: King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
201 S Jackson St, Suite 6300, Seattle, WA 98104
CONTACT: Alexia Dorsch, Jacobs Engineering
1100 112th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
PROJECT LOCATION: 550 Monster Road SW, Renton, WA 98057 (APNs: 3779200090 and 7229500281)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Water and
Land Resources Division, in coordination with the King County Flood Control District, is requesting a
shoreline exemption to replace the existing engine associated with Pump P3 and an associated equipment
cooling water pump at the Black River Pump Station (BRPS). The Black River Pump Station is located at 550
Monster Rd SW (APNs 3779200090 and 7229500281). The project is located in the Resource Conservation
zone and is within the Black River/Springbrook Creek Shoreline Jurisdiction, Reach A (BRSC-A). The Black
River is a Shoreline of the State and a Type S stream. The BRPS is located on a concrete dam that spans the
Black River channel, conveys all Springbrook Creek flow to the Green River, and is a critical component of the
Green River flood control system protecting developed lands in Renton, Kent, and Tukwila from backwater
flooding.
The pump station has operated continually since its construction in 1972 and includes eight (8) flood control
pumps (P1–P8), with one (1) electric motor‑driven pump and seven (7) diesel engine‑driven pumps that pump
river water from the Black River to the Green River under normal and flood conditions. The scope of work
includes demolishing the existing Pump P3 engine, concrete pedestal, and associated equipment within the
pump station structure and installing a new modern, automated engine and a dedicated equipment cooling
water (ECW) pumping system (replacement of existing pump P12 with new pump P16) to support future
construction and long‑term operational needs while preserving the existing pump station flood discharge
capacity.
Docusign Envelope ID: 0EBC0573-6C84-8AB6-8032-1F4E6DF449A7
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial
Black River Pump Station High Use Engine Replacement, LUA26-000228, SME Development Permit and Critical Areas Regulations
Permit Date: July 10, 2026 Page 2 of 5
D_Black River High Use Engine Replacement_Final
The new diesel engine requires a larger 12-inch (12”) exhaust manifold and silencer; the existing exhaust will
be replaced and the structural frame supporting the silencer will be reused with minor support modifications,
with all engine and exhaust work occurring above the normal forebay water level and all ECW pump
replacement work confined to the existing pump house footprint and fenced station yard. All construction
work would be contained within the existing fenced areas north and south of the pump house, with most work
taking place within the existing structures at the pump station and within the established pump station
footprint. Project construction for the BRPS high‑use engines improvements began in 2021, and replacement
of the Pump P3 engine and installation of the P16 equipment cooling water system are scheduled to occur in
2026 as part of the ongoing pump station upgrade program.
King County issued a SEPA Determination of Non‑Significance (DNS) for the BRPS high‑use engines project
under WAC 197‑11‑340(2) on March 26, 2020 and revised DNS determinations on April 13, 2020 and June 1,
2026 to address refinements in the engine replacement scope, including the P3 engine and P16 equipment
cooling water system.
RMC 4-3-090F.5.a, establishes review criteria for permitted flood control projects; the applicable criteria is
addressed below:
Permitted Flood Control Projects: Flood control works shall be permitted when it is demonstrated by
engineering and scientific evaluations that:
i. They are necessary to protect health, safety, and/or existing development;
Staff Comment: The applicant contends that the proposed replacement of the Pump P3 engine
and associated equipment cooling water pump (P16) at the Black River Pump Station is necessary
to protect public health, safety, and existing development served by the Green River flood control
system. The applicant explicates that the P3 engine must be automated and made more reliable
because it will drive the only large pump available during a future phase of construction and that
the new equipment cooling water system (P16) is required to support the new engine and existing
right‑angle gear drive, thereby maintaining the station’s flood discharge capacity during and after
construction. Staff concurs that the proposed improvements are necessary to protect health,
safety, and existing development.
ii. Nonstructural flood hazard reduction measures are infeasible; and
Staff Comment: The applicant contends that nonstructural flood hazard reduction measures are
infeasible because the BRPS is a lawfully established flood control facility that relies on
mechanical pumping to move flows from the Black River to the Green River and prevent backwater
flooding during high-flow events. The applicant notes that operational adjustments or upstream
storage alone would not provide the physical pumping capacity required at this location to protect
existing development in the Green River basin. These actions are described as normal
maintenance and repair of existing structures and equipment within the established flood control
facility rather than an alternative, nonstructural approach to flood hazard reduction. Staff concurs
that nonstructural flood hazard reduction measures are infeasible in this context.
iii. Measures are consistent with an adopted comprehensive flood hazard management plan that
evaluates cumulative impacts to the watershed system.
Docusign Envelope ID: 0EBC0573-6C84-8AB6-8032-1F4E6DF449A7
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial
Black River Pump Station High Use Engine Replacement, LUA26-000228, SME Development Permit and Critical Areas Regulations
Permit Date: July 10, 2026 Page 3 of 5
D_Black River High Use Engine Replacement_Final
Staff Comment: The applicant contends that the proposed Pump P3 engine replacement and
installation of the P16 equipment cooling water system are consistent with the adopted
comprehensive flood hazard management planning for the Green River basin. The measures are
presented as consistent with watershed‑scale flood hazard management and as not resulting in
probable significant adverse cumulative impacts to the Black River/Green River system. Staff
concurs that the proposed measures are consistent with an adopted comprehensive flood hazard
management plan that evaluates cumulative impacts to the watershed system.
SEC-TWN-R: SW ¼ of Section 13, Township 23N, and Range 4E W.M.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
(King County Assessor)
JUNCTION ADD POR TRS 21-22-23-24 & 25A & POR TRS 26 & 29 RENTON
SHORELANDS 2ND SUPL ADD BEG SW COR SEC 13-23-04 TH E 1271.74 FT TH N
TAP ON BDRY LN BET TRS 28 & 29 OF SD RENTON SHORELANDS 2ND SUPL ADD
& TPOB TH CONTG N 275 FT TH W 280.69 FT TH S 59-53-47 W 377.52 FT TH S 74-
13-19 W TO ELY MGN OF CO RD TH SELY ALG SD ELY MGN TO SLY BDRY OF SD TR
29 TH ELY ALG SD SLY BDRY TO TPOB ALSO BEG TPOB ABOVE DESC TH N 250 FT
TH ON TANGENT CURVE TO RGT RAD OF 627.46 FT TAP ON BDRY LN BEG TRS 26
& 27 OF SD RENTON SH LDS 2ND SUPL ADD TH SWLY ALG SD BDRY LN TO BEG
LESS PORTION FOR CO ROAD LESS POR FOR RD PERREC#9704291916
RENTON SHORELANDS 2ND SUPL POR OF TR 28 ALL 30 & POR GL 6 IN SEC 13-
23-04 DAF BEG S 87-26-48 E 1271.74 FT E OF SW COR TH N TO NLY MGN CO RD
& TPOB TH N TO NLY LN TR 28 TH SWLY ALG NLY LN OF TRS 28 & 30-31 TO ELY
MGN CO RD TH SELY & ELY ALG SD RD TO TPOB LESS PORTION FOR TRACT 31
LESS PORTION FOR CO ROAD LESS POR FOR RD PERREC#9704291916
WATER BODY/REACH: Black River/Springbrook Creek Reach A
SHORELINE EXEMPTION FINDINGS: The proposed development is consistent with the following findings:
YES i. Consistent with the policies of the Shoreline Management Act.
Staff Comments: The proposed replacement of the Pump P3 engine and
associated equipment cooling water pump (P16) at the Black River Pump Station
qualifies as normal maintenance and repair of an existing flood control facility and
is exempt from a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit under the Shoreline
Management Act and RMC 4‑9‑190.C.1.c. The work is limited to replacement of
existing engine and cooling equipment within the established pump station
structure and fenced yard, does not expand the footprint or increase the discharge
capacity of the station, and preserves the facility’s existing role in protecting
developed lands in Renton, Kent, and Tukwila from backwater flooding. The June 1,
2026 Revised Determination of Non‑Significance for the Black River Pump Station
High Use Engines Replacement Project confirms that the addition of the Pump P3
engine replacement and P16 equipment cooling water system to the approved
scope would not result in probable significant adverse environmental impacts.
YES ii. Not Applicable to the guidelines of the Department of Ecology where no Master
Program has been finally approved or adopted by the Department.
Staff Comments: Not applicable.
Docusign Envelope ID: 0EBC0573-6C84-8AB6-8032-1F4E6DF449A7
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial
Black River Pump Station High Use Engine Replacement, LUA26-000228, SME Development Permit and Critical Areas Regulations
Permit Date: July 10, 2026 Page 4 of 5
D_Black River High Use Engine Replacement_Final
YES iii. Consistent with the City of Renton Shoreline Master Program.
Staff Comments: Within the City’s Shoreline Master Program, maintenance and
repair of a legally established flood control facility within the Natural Environment
shoreline designation for the Black River/Springbrook Creek Reach A is allowed
when the work does not change the character, scope, or size of the existing facility.
The Pump P3 engine replacement and installation of the P16 equipment cooling
water system would occur entirely within the existing pump station footprint and
fenced yard as shown on the civil plans and neighborhood detail map, with in‑water
work limited to replacement of the equipment cooling water pump within the pump
station bays. As described in the June 1, 2026 Revised DNS, this work is a minor
addition to the previously approved high‑use engines scope of work and would not
result in probable significant adverse environmental impacts and therefore is
consistent with the City of Renton Shoreline Master Program.
SHORELINE EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION/DECISION: An exemption from a Shoreline Management
Substantial Development Permit is hereby APPROVED on the proposed project in accordance with
RMC.4.9190C “Exemption from Permit System’ and for the following reasons:
Normal maintenance or repair of existing structures or developments, including damage by accident, fire or
elements. "Normal maintenance" includes those usual acts to prevent a decline, lapse, or cessation from a
lawfully established condition. "Normal repair" means to restore a development to a state comparable to its
original condition, including but not limited to its size, shape, configuration, location and external
appearance, within a reasonable period after decay or partial destruction, except where repair causes
substantial adverse effects to shoreline resource or environment. Replacement of a structure or
development may be authorized as repair where such replacement is the common method of repair for the
type of structure or development and the replacement structure or development is comparable to the original
structure or development including but not limited to its size, shape, configuration, location and external
appearance and the replacement does not cause substantial adverse effects to shoreline resources or
environment.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
_________________________________________ __________________________________
Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date
RECONSIDERATION: Within 14 days of the decision date, any party may request that the decision be
reopened by the approval body. The approval body may modify his decision if material evidence not readily
discoverable prior to the original decision is found or if he finds there was misrepresentation of fact. After
review of the reconsideration request, if the approval body finds sufficient evidence to amend the original
decision, there will be no further extension of the appeal period. Any person wishing to take further action
must file a formal appeal within the 14-day appeal time frame.
APPEALS: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the
Hearing Examiner on or before 5:00 PM on July 24, 2026. An appeal of the decision must be filed within
the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). Appeals must be submitted
electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov or delivered to City Hall 1st floor Lobby Hub
Docusign Envelope ID: 0EBC0573-6C84-8AB6-8032-1F4E6DF449A7
Clark H.
Close for
7/10/2026 | 9:38 AM PDT
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Shoreline Substantial
Black River Pump Station High Use Engine Replacement, LUA26-000228, SME Development Permit and Critical Areas Regulations
Permit Date: July 10, 2026 Page 5 of 5
D_Black River High Use Engine Replacement_Final
Monday through Friday. The appeal fee, normally due at the time an appeal is submitted, will be collected at
a future date if your appeal is submitted electronically. The appeal submitted in person may be paid on the
first floor in our Finance Department. Appeals to the Hearing Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and
additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office,
cityclerk@rentonwa.gov.
EXPIRATION: Two (2) years from the date of decision (date signed).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Project Narrative
Attachment B: Neighborhood Detail Map
Attachment C: Environmental (SEPA) Determination of Non-Significance and Revised SEPA DNS
Determinations, dated March 26, 2020, April 13, 2026, and June 1, 2026
Attachment D: Black River Pump Station Improvements (High-Use Engines) Plan Set
cc: Erik Brodahl, Jacobs Engineering
Docusign Envelope ID: 0EBC0573-6C84-8AB6-8032-1F4E6DF449A7