MEDIA ADVISORY
June 17, 2010
Lake Union restoration project to be unveiled
Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark to speak on project success
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites members of the media and public to Lake Union on Monday, June 21, 2010, at 12:30 p.m. for the official unveiling of the Waterway 18 restoration project. Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark will speak at the event that will highlight the success of local partner organizations that worked with DNR on the project - and the importance of restoring state-owned aquatic lands, such as Lake Union.
Waterway 18 Ceremony, Monday, June 21, 2010 12:30
2199 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103 - just east of Gasworks Park.
DNR’s Aquatic Restoration Program, in partnership with Seattle Parks Foundation and Friends of Waterway 18, have restored the site—one of the last natural beaches remaining on Lake Union. The restoration project was an effort to preserve the natural shoreline environment of the beach to provide better habitat for migrating species, low-impact recreational opportunities, and safer public access.
DNR Aquatic Restoration Program
The DNR Aquatic Restoration Program identifies, plans, and implements restoration projects on or adjacent to state-owned aquatic lands and offers various levels of support to public and private organizations. Projects are designed to restore, enhance, create and protect biological and ecological conditions of freshwater, saltwater and estuarine aquatic systems through partnerships with other agencies and organizations.
DNR-Steward of state aquatic lands
As steward of the 2.6 million acres of state aquatic lands, DNR manages the bedlands under Puget Sound and the coast, many of Washington’s beaches, and natural lakes and navigable rivers. DNR manages these lands not only to facilitate navigation, commerce, and public access, but also to ensure protection of aquatic habitat. State-owned aquatic lands include:
About 68,100 acres of state-owned tidelands, or 106 square miles
90,000 acres of harbor areas
All submerged marine lands below extreme low tide—that’s 3,430 square miles of bedlands under navigable waters, as well as freshwater shorelands and bedlands
Peter Goldmark, who administers the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, is Washington’s 13th Commissioner of Public Lands since statehood in 1889.
Media Contact: Abbey Corzine, Communications Specialist, 360-902-1401, abbey.corzine@dnr.wa.gov
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