DES, partners agree to long-term management of restored Deschutes Estuary

November 21, 2024

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OLYMPIA, Wash. - Department of Enterprise Services (DES) and its project partners have finalized an interlocal agreement for long-term governance and funding of the restored Deschutes Estuary after the project is complete. DES received the final signature on Nov. 12.

DES led development of the interlocal agreement in partnership with the Squaxin Island Tribe, the cities of Olympia and Tumwater, Thurston County, Port of Olympia, and LOTT Clean Water Alliance. All are members of the project's Funding and Governance Work Group.

The interlocal agreement defines the governance responsibilities for each partner after the Deschutes Estuary is restored and commits to shared funding for sediment management in West Bay through 2050.

DES Director Tara C. Smith said, "The interlocal agreement is a clear sign of support from our partners for this project that will result in benefits across the region to the environment, climate and economic resiliency, and the community's amenities and transportation efficiency."

DES and partners developed the agreement during a yearlong process with the Funding and Governance Work Group to transition a Memorandum of Understanding into the legally binding document. Chairman Kris Peters of the Squaxin Island Tribe was the first to sign the Interlocal Agreement.

Signers on the agreement are:

• Squaxin Island Tribe
• City of Olympia
• City of Tumwater
• LOTT Clean Water Alliance
• Port of Olympia
• Thurston County
• Department of Enterprise Services

Floyd|Snider of Seattle and ECOnorthwest of Portland, Oregon, provided support in developing and negotiating the interlocal agreement.

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DES is leading the project to restore Capitol Lake to an estuary, one of the largest projects of its kind in the nation. Restoring the estuary is the path forward for improving water quality, wildlife and plant habitat conditions, climate and flood resilience, recreational water access and fishing, and supporting regional transportation.

The Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project is in the early design phase. Construction could begin as early as 2027, subject to available funding and environmental permits.

Learn more about the Deschutes Estuary project: DeschutesEstuaryProject.org.