The King Conservation District 2007 special assessment was approved by the Metropolitan King County Council on December 11, 2007. The special assessment will generate approximately 5.87 million per year over three years and will be utilized to implement the District's Program of Work.

The District's 2007 Program of Work outlines the dedication of special assessment collections to implement District priorities and initiatives.  Special assessment collections will be utilized to support salmon recovery, provide landowner natural resource management assistance, support sustainable agriculture and monitor and evaluate natural resource conservation efforts. The 2007 Program of Work details allocation of special assessment collections to key District stakeholders, including member jurisdictions and WRIA Watershed Forums. Click here to view the King Conservation District 2007 Program of Work.

The proposed special assessment will levy $9.98 per parcel on all King County parcels except those classified forestry. Additionally, the special assessment includes $0.00 annual rate for parcels less than one acre, $0.01 annual rate for parcels between one and five acres, and $0.02 annual rate for parcels greater than five acres. All assessment revenue would be utilized consistent with an applicable District calendar year program of work.

The District received comments on its special assessment proposal during a series of public comment sessions in April and May of 2006, a written comment period from June 28 through July 14, 2006 and a series of public hearings held during June and July 2006. Comments were received from numerous stakeholders including local municipalities, watershed forums, resource management organizations, citizen groups and individuals. Additionally, the District conducted a special benefit analysis that documents the economic value or benefits of the District's natural resource conservation programs and services to all assessed lands. This report shows that the value of these programs and services exceeds $10 per parcel and the value of direct and indirect District services apart from the District's partnerships with member jurisdictions and WRIA Watershed Forums exceeds $3 per parcel. Click here to view the King Conservation District Special Benefit Analysis.

The 2007 Program of Work is a prudent plan that will enable the District and its partners to work together on crucial natural resource management issues, such as salmon recovery. It will also support existing District programs to promote sustainable agriculture and voluntary stewardship of natural resources on rural and urban lands.  We look forward to the implementation of the 2007 Program of Work.

For more details contact Geoff Reed by phone at
(425) 277-5581 ext. 103 or by email at Geoff Reed

Or, contact Brandy Reed
by phone at (425) 277-5581 ext. 120
or email Brandy Reed

Press Release - Special Assessment
King Conservation District 2007 Program of Work
King Conservation District 2008 Program of Work
District Special Benefit Analysis