Resolution 1508RESOLUTION NO. 1508
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR RENEWAL OF THE STATE
BUDGET PROVISO FOR THE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL PRIVILEGE
RELATING TO THE OLD UNOCAL PROPERTY THAT WSDOT WILL
ACQUIRE ADJACENT TO THE EDMONDS MARSH -ESTUARY.
WHEREAS, in 1981, the City of Edmonds was given title, free of charge to a 22.5-acre parcel
now called the Edmonds Marsh -Estuary to be maintained as open space and a wildlife reserve;
and
WHEREAS, scientific studies have determined the Edmonds Marsh -Estuary is in desperate need
of restoration and enhancement to preserve the ecological functions that support wildlife; and
WHEREAS, the current configuration of the Edmonds Marsh -Estuary connection to Puget
Sound is an underground 1,600-foot pipe, with a tide gate, that has deteriorated critical wildlife
habitat and prevented salmon and other aquatic species from accessing the nearshore estuary and
tributary streams where salmon used to spawn; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, WRIA 8 (Watershed Resource Inventory Area 8) recognized the
importance of the restoration of this nearshore estuary and identified it as one of their priority
projects for the recovery of Puget Sound Chinook salmon that are listed under the Endangered
Species Act; and
WHEREAS, to restore an open tidal connection from the Edmonds Marsh -Estuary to Puget
Sound and enhance the nearshore estuary will require the use of some or all of the old Unocal
property adjacent to the Edmonds Marsh -Estuary; and
WHEREAS, the Washington Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) has declared they do not intend
to use the old Unocal property for relocating the Edmonds Ferry Terminal and has mothballed
Edmonds Crossing and may declare the property as surplus for sale; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, Washington State, through the 2021-23 biennial Transportation budget,
included a proviso giving the City of Edmonds the first right of refusal on purchasing the
property in response to the City's request that the property be made available for marsh/estuary
restoration and salmon recovery; and
WHEREAS, Edmonds' first right of refusal expires on June 30, 2023 and it is unlikely that
WSDOT will surplus the property before that date due to the ongoing cleanup of the property
that has precluded WSDOT from taking title to such property.
1
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON,
HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
The Edmonds City Council hereby requests that Washington State through the 2023-2025
biennial Transportation budget, retain the right of first refusal proviso giving the City of
Edmonds that right of first refusal for purchasing the property in response to the City's request
that the property be made available for marsh/estuary restoration and salmon recovery; and
RESOLVED this 4tn day of October, 2022.
CITY OF EDMONDS
MA R, MIKE NELSON
ATTEST:
CLfRKSCOTYPASSEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: October 4, 2022
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: October 4, 2022
RESOLUTION NO. 1508
CC
Governor Inslee
Senator Marko Liias (also the chair of Senate Transportation)
Senator Jesse Salomon
Representative Lillian Ortiz -Self
Representative Strom Peterson
Representative Cindy Ryu
Representative Lauren Davis
Representative Jake Fey (chair of House Transportation)
Senator Curtis King (ranking Senate Transportation)
Representative Andrew Barkis (ranking House Transportation)
2