The second approach is what is called the 'ecosystem alternative'.  With the ecosystem alternative a property owner is able to buy down the big buffer, in exchange for enhancing the buffer that remains, and making sure that water quality facilities are installed on the site.  The City then takes the money that the property owner pays to buy down their buffer and enhances a City restoration site within the same basin that the project site is located within. 

The ecosystem alternative approach is based on detailed review of the basins and critical area habitat and wetland recommendations appropriate to the functions and values provided to the Mount Vernon geographic setting and the competing needs of assuring long-term protection and maintenance of functions and values with an objective of creating long-term gain within the community, and the need to accommodate compact urban growth to achieve the residential, commercial and industrial needs of the community. The system is also designed to provide special attention to the needs of anadromous fish.

Since the adoption of this new ordinance seven (7) developments have chosen to use the ecosystem alternative approach.  With these developments the City has/or will be collecting $153,860.00 that has/or will be used to enhance the City's restoration sites.

Below is detailed information on three (3) of the restoration sites that the City is currently working on, the East Bakerview, Lower Kulshan, and Logan Creek Restoration sites.  However, the City has also restored areas within the western portion of Bakerview Park.

East Bakerview Park Restoration:
The City of Mount Vernon received mitigation funds from private developers that have been used to enhance and rehabilitate the existing wetland areas within the east side of Bakerview Park.  The enhancement and rehabilitation activities started in the Fall of 2009 and are continuing.  This project will be completed in four (4) phases.  Phase I is nearly complete as of May 2010.  The additional phases will be completed as funds become available.  Following is a map that shows the approximate phasing boundaries for this project.  Next to this map are several links to documents that had to be created and approved by different Federal and State agencies before this project could begin; along with other general information with regard to this project.

Map of Site Location;

Brochure for Public;

Delineation Report;

Restoration Report.

The following pictures show what the existing wetland area looked like and they show several of the restoration steps completed to-date:

Lower Kulshan Restoration:
One of the restoration sites that the City is actively working on an approximate 7.3 acre site comprised of waters and wetlands along lower Kulshan Creek.  Following is a map that identifies the approximate project boundaries. 

Kulshan Creek is a tributary to the Skagit River; and as such, provides habitat for anadromous and resident fish.  This project will focus on restoration of hydrologic, biogeochemical, plant community, and faunal support/habitat functioning within and adjacent to City owned property.  The project aims to improve ecosystem functioning by restoring the native vegetative community that has been disrupted by deforestation, urbanization, and invasive species.   This project will also include the construction of a portion of the Kulshan trail connection as shown with brown and white dashes on the map below. 

The following links are to documents and maps that have been created to-date to aid in the necessary permitting for this important project.

Restoration Report; and,

Delineation Report.

This exciting restoration project will begin in the Summer of 2011.