Valley Fish, Farm, Flood Committee wins county award for stewardship

Group was formed in 2017 to balance goals of fish conservationists, farmers and floodplain managers

By Record Staff • June 14, 2023 10:30 am
MC Essex Porter speaks about the Fish Farm Flood Oversight Committee. From left: Porter, Bobbi Lindemulder, Cindy Spiry and Angela Donaldson. Courtesy photo.
MC Essex Porter speaks about the Fish Farm Flood Oversight Committee. From left: Porter, Bobbi Lindemulder, Cindy Spiry and Angela Donaldson. Courtesy photo.

The Snoqualmie Valley Fish, Farm, Flood Implementation Oversight Committee was recognized by King County Executive Dow Constantine for its contribution to sustainability and restoration.

During the 2023 Green Globe Awards — the region’s highest recognition for environmental stewardship — the oversight committee was recognized by Constantine and the Department of Natural Resources with the Leader in Community Resiliency Award. The award was accepted by Cindy Spiry, Bobbi Lindemulder and Angela Donaldson, chairs of the fish, farm and flood committees, respectively.

“Each of these Green Globe Award winners is shaping a better future for our region,” Constantine said in a statement. “Their inspiring achievements contribute to a more resilient, more sustainable, more equitable King County.”

The Fish, Farm, Flood Committee was born in 2017 as a joint effort between fish conservationists, agriculture workers and floodplain managers. The committee aims to balance the often competing interests of its three subgroups, working to simultaneously preserve farmland, restore threatened salmon populations and create flood-safe communities.

Over its five years, the group has made 42 recommendations for progress.They’ve also made significant headway on projects, including a salmon habitat restoration of Griffith Creek and a first-of-its-kind Snoqualmie Valley Agricultural Strategic Plan. Near Fall City and the Raging River, the group has led the county’s largest habitat restoration project to date.