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Urban Shorelines & Riparian Habitat Improvement Services
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Program level:
Local
Provider:
King Conservation District
Benefits provided:
Financial, Free technical assistance
Land use:
Forest, Agriculture
Water-focused program:
Yes
Technical and financial assistance to implement riparian buffers
Overview
Description:
KCD offers aquatic area enhancement services to help urban landowners protect and improve the health of creeks, streams, rivers and wetlands by enhancing and restoring vegetated riparian buffers. Buffers along water bodies can improve water quality, stabilize shorelines and create fish/wildlife habitat. This program provides free educational tours and workshops, as well as site visits and site-specific vegetation management recommendations, to empower landowners with the knowledge and skills needed to better steward their aquatic areas. KCD also offers financial incentives, as well as project design and implementation services to qualified property owners.
Project Requirements:
- A minimum plantable buffer width of 15 to 35 feet, depending on stream width
- A 15-year project agreement with KCD
Eligibility:
Landowners who have aquatic areas on their properties and are within the city limits of a KCD Member Jurisdiction. (* Member Jurisdications include 34 cities in King County except Enumclaw, Federal Way, Milton, Pacific and Skykomish.)
Applicants must first fill out the "Request for Technical Assistance" form on the website and wait to be contacted by the program provider. Thank you for your patience as this ensures everyone a fair entry to the all KCD programs with a time stamp.
Financial benefit:
Cost share:
- Landowners pay 10% of labor and materials required for installation, not to exceed $3,000
- KCD provides free project design, management and maintenance for 3 years
Contact information
Information last updated on July 15, 2025.
Planning Importance
Developing a forest, agricultural, or conservation plan helps identify and prioritize objectives for landowners. These objectives can determine what type programs to search for. Supporting organizations in your area often provide free consultation and planning.
Landscape Characteristics
See how your land fits into the broader context of regional conservation, ecosystem services, and working lands' values across the landscape through our interactive mapper tool. It could help you determine which program is a good fit for you!
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