Snohomish County's Public Works department is grabbing national attention with a groundbreaking environmental project that's not only saving the greenery but also the greenbacks. Awarded the 2024 Public Works Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association, their Little Bear Creek Advance Mitigation Site (LBCAMS) has scored big in the under $5 million Environmental category, proving to be a smart move for taxpayers and terrain alike.
County Executive Dave Somers didn't hide his pride, declaring that the "County Public Works team is full of creative, dedicated professionals." According to Snohomish County Government, Somers praised the project for ensuring "safe, maintained, and well-designed roads, waste disposal, and recycling." It's not just about what is being saved today but the millions earmarked for the future. By consolidating the wetland restoration into this site, the county expects to dodge a bullet to the tune of more than $30 million in road project costs.
Public Works Director Kelly Snyder noted the project's bold approach, stating, "We know that combining the mitigation needs for future road projects and mitigation efforts into a single site before it’s needed, we create significant financial savings and a strong ecological impact." This preemptive strike took seven years of tough graft but promises to benefit the public and nature perpetually, as emphasized in the original announcement by the county.
The enterprise wasn't a solo affair, the project was a joint effort with design consultant ESA and Accord Contractors taking the lead on execution. And it's no small feat; the work involved demolishing 17 buildings, erasing vast swathes of impervious surfaces, and replanting the reclaimed wetland with over 21,000 indigenous plants. Deputy Director and County Engineer Doug McCormick sang the team's praises, attributing the win to their "innovation, collaboration, and proactive thinking."
Sharing the limelight, the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, SCJ Alliance, and Reece Construction also bagged a Project of the Year award from the APWA for their work on the 236th St NE corridor improvements - a project partnered by Snohomish County Public Works. This marks another feather in the cap for the county's Public Works, which last won national recognition for their bridge work back in 2010. Snohomish County projects, it appears, are bridges between the present and a more sustainable, fiscally responsible future.
