Help Guide How the City Protects Our Lakes and Streams 2023

Published on January 31, 2023

Media Contact:
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 587-3021

KIRKLAND, Wash. – The City of Kirkland has posted its annual draft Stormwater Management Program Plan and invites community members to review and submit comments or suggestions by February 24, 2023. The draft plan describes potential actions the City could take to reduce stormwater pollution and protect our lakes and streams. 

“The City is committed to the protection of our creeks, lakes, and wetlands to help maintain a healthy environment for our human and more-than-human community,” said Councilmember Kelli Curtis. “We deeply appreciate our community’s insights and perspective.  Please help inform how we are protecting our lakes and streams by submitting comments and suggestions on the draft plan.”   

Stormwater pollution is a leading cause of pollution reaching Kirkland creeks, lakes, and wetlands.  This pollution comes from everyday activities such as driving, yard care, pet waste management, car washing, and land development. Preventing stormwater pollution involves reducing the amount of pollution that is put onto the landscape and removing contaminants from runoff before it reaches local waters.

Kirkland operates under a state-issued permit that allows the City to discharge stormwater from its public drainage system into rivers, lakes, and streams as long as the City implements programs and works with its residents and businesses to reduce pollutants in stormwater. 

The City’s 2023 Draft Stormwater Management Program Plan describes actions that the City will take in 2023 and beyond to maintain compliance with the permit and protect our lakes and streams.  Examples of these actions are public education around natural yard care and vehicle maintenance, tracing and halting spills or dumping of pollutants to the municipal stormwater system, reviewing development plans to control stormwater pollution at construction sites, and maintaining the City’s network of stormwater pipes, ditches, and ponds.

The 2023 Draft Stormwater Management Program Plan is available online at www.kirklandwa.gov/stormwater. Comments can be provided via e-mail to stormwater@kirklandwa.gov. 

For more information about the City’s Storm and Surface Water Management Programs, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/stormwater.  To learn more about the State Department of Ecology stormwater permit, search “Phase II Western WA Municipal Stormwater Permit” at www.ecy.wa.gov