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700 Fifth Avenue | PO Box 34018 | Seattle, WA 98124-4018 | 206-684-3000 | seattle.gov/util
Cedar River Sockeye Hatchery Broodstock Collection Facility Replacement Project
SEPA Determination of Non-Significance (DNS)
Description of Proposal
SPU constructed and operates the Cedar River Sockeye Hatchery in Landsburg, Washington, as a
mitigation commitment identified in the multi-agency Landsburg Mitigation Agreement (2000). The
Hatchery mitigates for SPU’s decision to prevent passage of sockeye salmon into Seattle’s Cedar River
Municipal Watershed above the City of Seattle's Landsburg Diversion Dam at River Mile 21.4. Through
an agreement with SPU, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) operates the Hatchery
and the associated broodstock collection facility (BCF) on the Cedar River in Renton, Washington. WDFW
collects adult sockeye salmon from the BCF and transports them to the Hatchery for artificial breeding.
At the Hatchery, WDFW incubates sockeye salmon eggs and releases marked unfed sockeye fry into the
Cedar River so they can volitionally out-migrate and rear naturally in Lake Washington.
The existing BCF is not meeting performance goals and must be replaced to do so. SPU proposes to
construct, operate, and maintain a replacement BCF. The replacement BCF would improve fish
collection capabilities, worker safety, and installation/removal methods conditions that are problematic
or inefficient with the existing facility. Construction would include work in the Cedar River required to
construct the replacement BCF and adjustments to existing shoreline facilities to facilitate BCF
operation. Proposed in-water and over water BCF components include:
• Improved picket weir and concrete sill
• New trap box/access and debris deflector
• In-water components that support shoreline facilities
Proposed upland work includes boat ramp and access road improvements.
Project construction is planned in two phases: Phase 1 in 2022 and Phase 2 in 2023. The existing BCF
would be operated as usual between phases. In-water work is proposed from June 1 through August 31
each year, which would require a one-month extension to the usual agency-approved in-water work
window (July 1 to August 31). Upland work is not confined to the work window, but is generally
expected to coincide with in-water activities or be phased just before and after.
Following construction, all operable components of the replacement BCF (including the picket weir,
gangway, trapbox, and debris deflector) would be installed and removed annually; installation would
occur in early September and removal would occur in December, except for the picket weir, which
would be left in a lowered position against the concrete sill for removal before early July. While the
picket weir is raised, sockeye salmon would be collected in the trap box until the capacity for the
measured water depth is reached, or when maximum holding times are reached, and fish must be
removed.
At a minimum, accumulated sediment and debris would need to be removed twice yearly before picket
removal and prior to picket installation. In addition, maintenance may include up-to-weekly raising of
the picket panels a few inches off the lowered position to dislodge accumulated sediment and debris.
Additional details are provided in the SEPA checklist.
DNS Cedar River Broodstock Collection Facility 100820 9/29/2020
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Proponent
Seattle Public Utilities
Seattle Municipal Tower Suite 4900
P.O. Box 34018
Seattle, WA 98124-4018
Location of Proposal
The project site is at River Mile 1.7 of the Cedar River in Renton, Washington, immediately upstream of
WSDOT’s I-405 bridge over the Cedar River. Development would occur in the Cedar River and along its
south bank on parcel 1723059014 owned by the City of Renton. There is no site address associated with
this parcel. The project is in the SW quarter of Section 17, Township 23N, Range 5E.
Work would also occur on WSDOT-owned parcel 1723059179 where development would widen an
existing access road. The existing parking lot on the parcel would be used temporarily for construction
staging. SPU would coordinate with WSDOT to obtain approval and required access agreements.
Construction access/staging would also occur on the north side of the river on parcel 1723059013
(Cedar River Park) owned by the City of Renton and in WSDOT right-of-way for I-405.
Lead Agency
Seattle Public Utilities, the lead agency for this proposal, has determined that it does not have a
probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is
not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed
environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. This information is available
to the public on request.
This Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) is issued under WAC 197-11-340(2); the lead agency will
not act on this proposal for fourteen (14) days from the issuance date below.
A copy of the environmental checklist is available online at
http://www.seattle.gov/utilities/neighborhood-projects/construction-impacts
Public and Agency Comments
Comments on this DNS must be submitted by October 22, 2020 and must be sent by email to:
Betty Meyer, SEPA Responsible Official
Seattle Public Utilities
betty.meyer@seattle.gov
Signature: Issue Date: October 8, 2020
Appeals
Appeals of this DNS must be accompanied by an $85.00 filing fee and must be filed by 5:00 p.m. on
October 29, 2020. Please see the Office of the Hearing Examiner web site for Temporary Operating
Rules During COVID-19: http://www.seattle.gov/hearing-examiner