Cedar River Habitat Conservation Plan

The Cedar River HCP was developed by the City of Seattle in response to requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The U.S. Congress passed the ESA in 1973 to provide a means of conserving the ecosystems upon which threatened or endangered species depend. Under the ESA, federal law prohibits the "take" of any threatened or endangered species. "Take" is defined as harassment, harm, pursuit, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, or collecting.

In 1982, Congress amended the ESA, allowing "take" if it is incidental to the intended action. A Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), outlining measures to mitigate for the "take" is required to continue an "incidental take." An HCP must include alternative actions to the "take" and incorporate public comments and concerns. Implementation of an approved HCP is then exchanged for Incidental Take Permits from the federal government.

Planning and development of the Cedar River HCP began in 1993 when it became evident that Chinook salmon would soon be listed for protection under the ESA. The withdrawal of water for the municipal water supply represented a considerable "incidental take" affecting Chinook in the Cedar. Several other endangered species or "species of concern" were also known to inhabit the Watershed, including bull trout, marbled murrelet, bald eagle and spotted owl.

The Cedar River HCP was developed collaboratively over a period of four years by the City of Seattle, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. There was also substantial input from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and the public. The Friends of the Cedar River Watershed participated in the many public meetings and hearings leading up to the HCP's official adoption in 1999. Implementation of the HCP began in 2001.

Click here for more information about the Cedar River HCP.