A year-long reclamation project is putting two dozen Puget SoundCorps members to work removing noxious weeds and restoring native vegetation at King County’s Maury Island Marine Park–site of a former gravel mining operation.
Posts Tagged ‘“Maury Island Aquatic Reserve’
Maury Island Marine Park reclamation puts young people to work through state Jobs Bill
October 11, 2012Using funds appropriated by the 2012 Washington Legislature, DNR is helping King County Division of Parks and Natural Resources reclaim about 70 acres of the park’s more than 300 acres that were disturbed by the mining operations. DNR’s role is to manage the project, which is providing jobs and experience to young adults, ages 18 to 25 years.
The $2.2 million funding for the Maury Island Marine Park reclamation project is part of the $10 million appropriated in the Jobs Act for DNR-related Puget SoundCorps/Veterans Corps projects.In addition to removing noxious weeds, SoundCorps crews at the Maury Island park are improving trails, and planting and tending native plants. The park features stunning views and the longest stretch of undeveloped Puget Sound shoreline in King County.
Puget SoundCorps members Geoff Mayhew and Cassandra Williams survey the Maury Island shoreline for forage fish eggs. Photo: Bob Redling/DNR.
An additional Puget SoundCorps team–also funded by the Jobs Act– is conducting a DNR-lead beach sampling effort to assess forage fish habitat, remove creosote debris and do other restoration projects in the DNR-managed Maury Island Aquatic Reserve and other locations in the Sound.
The Washington Department of Ecology administers the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC), which includes Puget SoundCorps. The WCC works year-round to protect and enhance Washington’s natural resources. Corps members earn $9.04 an hour and receive a $5,550 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of one year of service (1700 hours).
More about Puget SoundCorps and the 2012 state jobs bill:
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