PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA              Item No.     6f 
Date of Meeting    May 4, 2010 
DATE:    April 9, 2010 
TO:      Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:    Bob Duffner, Water Resources Manager, Aviation Environmental 
Elizabeth Leavitt, Director, Aviation Planning and Environmental 
SUBJECT:  Interlocal Agreement with King County for Surface Water Management Services 
Amount of This Request: $0 
Source of Funds: Annual Aviation Division Operating Budget (as approved by Commission) 

ACTION REQUESTED: 
Request for Port Commission authorization for the Port's Chief Executive Officer to execute an
Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with King County in a form substantially as attached in Exhibit A,
for stream gaging services in support of mandatory requirements of environmental permits for 
the Third Runway and other Master Plan Update (MPU) projects, basin steward services for the
Miller and Walker Creek basins and other surface water management services. 
SYNOPSIS 
For the last six years, through a series of technical services agreements and ILAs, the Port of
Seattle (Port) has engaged the King County Water and Land Resources Division to perform a
variety of surface water management services including stream gaging and basin steward
functions in support of the Airport's environmental management program. Execution of this
Interlocal Agreement provides the Port with continued access to King County stream gaging and
basin steward services for an unlimited amount of time. As a result the ILA could continue for
10 to 15 years to ensure all state and federal permit requirements have been accomplished. This
ILA will allow the Port to comply with Aviation Division environmental permit requirements
and provide a means to work cooperatively with local jurisdictions on basin-wide environmental
issues while minimizing the administrative burden of annual renewals. 
BACKGROUND 
The Aviation Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Washington State
Department of Ecology's 401 Certification and US Army Corps of Engineer's 404 Permit for
construction of the Third Runway and other MPU Projects. The 401 Certification imposed
conditions to ensure conformance with state water quality standards and other state
environmental regulations. A number of these conditions require collection of stream gage data
from creeks the Airport discharges into to support of various hydraulic evaluations. The 404
Permit also contains a condition requiring stream gage data collection. In combination, these

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
April 9, 2010 
Page 2 
conditions require the Port to conduct continuous stream gage monitoring in Miller Creek,
Walker Creek and Des Moines Creek for a period extending 15 years after completion of the
Third Runway and other MPU Projects. In addition to these 401 Certification and 404 Permit
requirements, stream gage data is also used by Aviation Division staff to evaluate the
performance of stormwater facilities as required by the Airport's National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
Historically, local jurisdictions and the public have relied on King County to collect and
distribute stream gage and other monitoring data. The current gage locations were originally
established by King County, and for many years the County has monitored and maintained them.
However, as local areas have incorporated, King County has either discontinued monitoring or
sought funding from local jurisdictions or other interested parties to continue data collection. In 
order to ensure Airport stream gage monitoring needs were met, the Port has funded King County
for these services through a series of annual Technical Service Agreements since 2004. The
current agreement with King County expired in March 31, 2009. 
In addition to stream gaging services, King County has provided basin steward services to the
Port and other jurisdictions located within the Miller/Walker Creek watershed basin. The need
for basin steward services was originally identified in a 2006 Executive Proposed version Miller
and Walker Creek Basin Plan, which was developed by staff from the Port, Washington
Department of Transportation and the Cities of Normandy Park, Burien, and SeaTac. The Basin
Plan provides an overview of current and anticipated water resources problems in the basin and
provides recommendations to address these problems within a twenty-year planning horizon. The
Basin Plan has not been proposed for adoption by any of the participating jurisdictions due to a
number of unresolved issues concerning stormwater detention standards for new development.
Although the Basin Plan cannot be implemented as a whole, the Parties are in agreement that
basin steward services and monitoring should be supported. The public has expressed strong
support for this effort, and it is beneficial to the airport environmental compliance program. 
The Parties initially funded basin steward services in 2007 through a series of individual
technical services agreements between King County and each jurisdiction. These services
continued through 2008 and 2009. The Cities of Normandy Park, Burien and SeaTac are
currently funding King County basin steward services through individual technical services
agreements. The Port's Central Procurement Office and Legal department have determined that
it is more appropriate to utilize King County's services by entering into an ILA pursuant to the
Interlocal Cooperation Act, Ch. 39.34 RCW. Hence, this request for authorization. 
PROJECT DESCRIPTION/SCOPE OF WORK 
This request is for authorization to enter into an ILA for surface water management services. The 
ILA will authorize stream gaging and basin stewardship in 2010. Stream gaging tasks to be
performed will include measurement of stage (water level): measurement of discharge (flow); 
maintenance of gaging stations; and data reporting on a publically accessible internet site.
Stream gaging will be conducted at 12 locations on Miller, Walker, and Des Moines Creeks.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
April 9, 2010 
Page 3 
Basin steward services will be provided for the Miller/Walker watershed basin. In addition to
funds provided by the Port through this ILA, the Cities of Normandy Park, Burien and SeaTac 
will contribute to this overall effort through separate agreements with King County that the Port
is not party to. Each jurisdiction's contribution to total effort will be based on its percentage of 
impervious surface within the basin. The King County basin steward will perform the following
functions: develop, coordinate, and manage of volunteer stream/wetland improvement projects;
develop education resources; provide a point of contact for citizens, community groups and 
governments on water resource issues related to and affecting the basin; and develop a guide
future monitoring in the basin. 
This ILA will enable the provision of stream gaging and basin steward services on a task order
basis, using the annual administrative procedures specified in the ILA. In addition, in the future 
the Port may request that King County provide other surface water management services, such as
invasive species control, habitat evaluation, fisheries assessment, hydraulic evaluations, and
stormwater facilities maintenance. Services beyond 2010 will only be provided under this ILA if
the funding for those services are authorized by the Port Commission in the Division budget, the
Port requests the services through a task order, and King County agrees to provide the services. 
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: 
This ILA supports the Port's strategy to "Enhance Public Understanding and Support of the Port's
Role in the Region" by providing a cost effective means to ensure compliance with permit
requirements and to cooperatively work with local jurisdictions on watershed issues within the
Miller/Walker Creek basin. This agreement allows the Port to accomplish this work while
building a working partnership with another public agency.
In addition, this ILA supports the Port's strategy to "Exhibit Environmental Stewardship through
our Actions" by facilitating the assessment of natural resources with the watershed basins
potentially affected by Airport operations. The ILA also provides for public education on matters
related to water resources and engage the public in a variety of habitat enhancement projects. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: 
Budget/Authorization Summary 
This ILA authorizes stream gaging and basin steward services for 2010 for a total cost of
$46,749. No other work is guaranteed to King County under this agreement. The Port will
authorize all other work under individual task orders on an annual basis as specific work is
required and funding for that work is authorized by the Commission. The ILA does not have a
not-to-exceed dollar threshold.
No budget authorization request is associated with this Commission action.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
April 9, 2010 
Page 4 
Source of Funds 
The costs associated with services to be performed under this ILA in 2010 are in the Commission
approved 2010 Aviation Division operating budget. Costs for any services to be performed
beyond 2010 will be included in subsequent annual Aviation Environmental operating budget
requests.
ECONOMIC IMPACTS: 
There is no economic impact related to this agreement since it primarily provides for a
continuation of services that have been performed routinely in the past. 
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS: 
This agreement provides an effective means to monitor the performance of Airport stormwater
management practices and facilities. Stream gage data is made available to the Port through a
publicly accessible web site. The local community has expressed strong interest in this data. The
data aids the community in assessing stream conditions, monitoring salmon spawning, and
evaluating illicit discharges to local streams. 
The basin steward provides the Airport and community significant benefits. The Airport's
NPDES permit requires implementation of pollution prevention practices to ensure Airport
operations will not adversely affect the environment. The basin steward provides a means to
assess and address potential cross-jurisdictional impacts that are best addressed though basinwide
actions such as invasive weed control and stream monitoring.
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE SUMMARY: 
This ILA will provide a financially responsible way to ensure the Port meets the permit
requirements for construction of the Third Runway and other MPU projects. This agreement also
allows for the Port to jointly fund basin wide efforts which are more effective and provide for
greater benefits than if the Port and other local jurisdictions worked independently. 
PROJECT SCHEDULE 
Services performed under the agreement would be initiated in approximately May 2010. The
ILA will remain in effect until the Port or King County terminates the agreement. 

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED/RECOMMENDED ACTION: 
1)  Perform Services Using Existing Port Staff  Stream gage monitoring could be performed
using existing Port staff. However, this alternative would require the Port to purchase and
install new equipment at each station in place of existing King County equipment. In
addition, the Port would need to develop and maintain a publicly accessible web-based

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
April 9, 2010 
Page 5 
reporting system. Basin steward services could not be performed by Port staff. The steward
position must be filled by a third party, independent of all basin jurisdictions. This alternative
is not recommended.
2)  Execute a Category C Professional Services Agreement (PSA)  Stream gaging services can
be secured through outside consulting service firms. However, this alternative would require
the Port fund the purchase and installation of new stream gaging equipment at each station. In
addition, the Port would need to fund the development and maintenance of a publicly
accessible web-based reporting system. The steward position must be filled by an
independent third party. For basin steward services, any consultant acquired through a PSA
would not be independent from the Port, and a separate mechanism would need to be set up
in order to get financial support from the other basin jurisdictions. This alternative is not
recommended.
3)  Execute an ILA with King County - This allows for continued stream gaging and basin
steward services with trained personnel familiar with the Airport's requirements and the
Miller and Walker Creek watershed basin.  This Alternative would allow for the continued
use of existing stream gaging equipment at no additional cost to the Port and would maintain
stream gaging data on an existing internet site that is available to the public. The current
King County basin steward would continue in this role providing continuity to a highly 
successful program. This alternative is recommended. 
4)  Do Nothing - This is not a viable alternative, as it would result in non-compliance with the
Airport's 401 Certification and 404 Permit. The Port's support of the inter-jurisdictional
Miller/Walker Creek Basin steward effort would end. This alternative is not recommended.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS REQUEST: 
Attachment  Interlocal Agreement between the Port and the King County Water and Land
Resources Division 

PREVIOUS COMMISSION REVIEW/ACTION 
Prior stream gage monitoring was conducted in support of permitting and construction of Master
Plan Update projects including the Third Runway. Funding was provided through project -wide
authorization of those projects.
In January 1995, the Commission authorized the Executive Director to execute an ILA between
the Port of Seattle, King County, and the Cities of Burien, Normandy Park, and SeaTac to install
and operate stream flow gauges in Miller Creek. The Interlocal Agreement was signed by all
four jurisdictions on March 1, 1996.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
April 9, 2010 
Page 6 
Exhibit B of the ILA between the Port of Seattle and the City of SeaTac (September 4, 1997)
states: "The Port and the City shall seek participation by the City of Burien, the City of
Normandy Park and King County to do a Miller Creek Basin Plan" 
In November of 1999, the Commission authorized the Executive Director to execute an ILA
between the Port of Seattle, King County, the Cities of Burien, Normandy Park, and SeaTac, and
the State of Washington to share costs of continued inter-jurisdictional collaboration and the
development of a Miller and Salmon Creek Basin Plan. The City of Normandy Park was not a
party to the final executed Interlocal Agreement.
In May 2003, the Commission authorized the Executive Director to execute an amendment to the
existing Miller Creek Basin Plan ILA to provide for the City of Normandy Park's participation
and reduce Washington State Department of Transportation's role.
On November 23, 2009, the Commission authorized the Aviation Division operating expense
budget which contained $52,000 for stream gaging services and $50,000 for receiving water and 
stormwater support which includes basin steward services.