Natural Resources and Ecosystems

Tree Canopy/Urban Forest Management

The City of Sammamish aims to preserve the aesthetic, ecological, and economic benefits of forests and tree-covered areas in Sammamish.

• Urban Forest Management Plan
  • A policy guide for managing, enhancing, and growing trees in the City of Sammamish over the next twenty years.
• Tree management
  • Removal permits
  • Mitigation for unlawful tree removal.
• Tree inventory data
  • Including tree health and removal information can be viewed on TreeKeeper.

Water

The comprehensive management of surface and stormwaters and erosion
control promotes public health, safety and welfare, especially that which preserves and utilizes the many values of the City’s natural drainage system including open space, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and education. The environmental impacts include reduced flooding, erosion, and sedimentation; prevention and mitigation of habitat loss; enhancement of groundwater recharge; and prevention of water quality degradation.

• Stormwater management
  • Facilities for wastewater treatment and runoff
  • Community resources
• Beaver Lake Management District
  • Advisory board 
• George Davis Creek Culvert Fish Passage
  • Supports stormwater flows and salmon populations 
• Wetland and Stream protection
  • Restoration Projects
• Pollution mitigation and environmental cleanup 
  • Report spills
  • Source control
  • Water quality monitoring

Ecosystems and Resiliency

The City promotes education and understanding of the importance of the natural environment, including regulating, supporting, provisioning, and cultural ecosystem services.

• Land Acquisition
  • Between 1999 and 2021, the City has acquired 675 acres of public land to protect habitat; retain tree canopy; and preserve the natural beauty and character of the community.
• Critical Area Ordinance
  • Environmentally sensitive areas are protected through the City's Critical Areas Ordinance, which is undergoing an update this year. 
• The Bee City initiative
  • Is focused on improving habitat for native bee species and other pollinators.
• Integrated Pest Management 
  • Provides guidelines for the use of pesticides and other methods for addressing weeds and pest animals.
  • Environmentally sensitive pest management
• Shoreline Management Regulations
  • The SMA addresses shoreline use, environmental protection of shoreline areas, and public access to these areas. In Sammamish, our SMP sets goals and policies pertaining to the shores of Lake Sammamish, Pine Lake, and Beaver Lake.
  • https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Sammamish/?SammamishCP/SammamishCP.html