Farmers will have the opportunity to work together to incorporate the results from the Impact Assessment into prioritization of farmland, on-the-ground projects, and updated management techniques that increase agriculture’s resilience and viability.

• Resilience Projects

• Active Project List

• Community Floodplain Solutions (CFS)

Resilience Projects

Changes in flooding and groundwater levels could result in the need for drainage improvements and protection from rising sea levels. In addition, changes in snow accumulation and the timing of precipitation and runoff could necessitate drought resilience improvements.

• Drainage improvements could include upland water storage, pumping options, dike improvements, and ditch cleaning.

• Drought resilience improvements could include water rights acquisition/banking, water storage, irrigation efficiencies, and groundwater infiltration and recharge projects.

• Funding will be solicited for project design and construction.

When we finished the Ag Resilience Plan in December 2019, we knew that a plan left on the shelf isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. That’s why we’ve jumped into action to move several projects and initiatives forward, including:

Swans Trail Slough Project in Drainage Improvement District 13 (DD13)
We have secured funding to begin a feasibility study for a landscape-scale project in DD13 that would improve drainage to nearby farmland and restore channels along marginal farmland to create fish habitat.

Riley and Haskel Slough (Lower Skykomish River) 
We are partnering with the Tulalip Tribes and Snohomish County to launch a feasibility study to devise potential multi-benefit projects to simultaneously improve farmland drainage and fish habitat.

Farmland Protection in Stilly Valley
Six farms will soon be protected from future development! Washington Farmland Trust and Forterra are leading the charge to work with local farmers interested in removing the development rights from their properties.

Sea Dike North of Stanwood  
We can’t take credit for this one, but wanted to give a shout-out to the Stillaguamish Tribe and Diking District 7 for advancing a project that will improve the condition of the sea dike to better protect farmland and the city of Stanwood.

We’re working with local farmers to pursue funding for several other large landscape-scale projects. Stay tuned for more updates.

Community Floodplain Solutions (CFS) emerged from a partnership between Lower Skykomish River landowners, Snohomish County Surface Water Management, and Sustainable Lands Strategy partners, which includes Snohomish Conservation District. The goal of CFS is to keep local farms viable, reduce flood impacts for residents, and restore habitat for threatened salmon. Learn more here.

Brought to you by:

Funding provided by: National Estuary Program, NOAA, Stillaguamish River Lead Entity, Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program, and Floodplains by Design