HISTORY
The Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance began as a response to the widening and lowering of the Snoqualmie Falls. The group that came together realized the power of the collective they had formed, and decided to continue to support the organization. The primary mission of the SVPA remains largely the same as when it began – be a voice for the land of the Snoqualmie Valley.
Accomplishment Timeline:
2010
Filed a lawsuit against the US ACE for downstream impacts of their construction project. The SVPA’s first act was to challenge the widening and lowering of Snoqualmie Falls. The project proponents did not have an adequate downstream impact study; King County Flood Control District conducted the impact study after the fact, and found that the project, in conjunction with the 205 Project, violated the zero-rise standard that King County residents are normally held to.
2013
Protected 180 acres of farmland from becoming a housing subdivision: after the Tall Chief Golf Course closed its business, a housing subdivision was being proposed. The SVPA challenged the master plan, which resulted in King County purchasing the property and returning it to farmland.
2013-2017
Participated in comprehensive Fish-Farm-Flood watershed management initiative: the first of its kind in Snoqualmie Valley, the FFF process was facilitated by King County to help balance competing needs among various groups who rely on these working resource lands for their survival. The SVPA had a seat at the 14-member advisory committee, and was instrumental in organizing the valley community and seeking meaningful input to help the committee reach its historic agreement.
Fall 2015
SVPA staff receives Conservation Leadership Award from King Conservation District.
2015-2016
Launch the Watershed Improvement District: Farmers have long recognized that there is often too much or too little water for productive farming. The purpose of the watershed improvement district is to address water needs on a system-wide basis, protect water rights, increase access to irrigation, and address drainage issues. The SVPA helped the community form the district and secured resources to launch this powerful tool to empower the community to achieve sustainable water management.
April 2017
SVPA receives the Green Globe Award from King County for Leadership in Rural Resource Sustainability.
June 2017
SVPA becomes a signatory to the historic Fish-Farm-Flood agreement facilitated by King County and adopted by Executive Dow Constantine.
2018
SVPA selected to advocate for farmers and rural landowners in the King County Regulatory and Buffer Task Forces.
April 2018
Councilmember Kathy Lambert presented Executive Director Cynthia Krass with the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service for being a strong voice for the the agricultural community.
2019
SVPA launched Floodzilla 2.0 Citizen Scientist flood monitoring system to help farmers and land managers get real-time data about floods while they are happening. These sensor constantly measure the height of the water level. They are placed near roads, on bridges, and in fields throughout the valley. Data from each sensor is constantly uploaded to a website for users to view in real time. The SVPA recently received funding from the King County Flood Control District to bring this project from working models to full production.
2020-2021
Like every other person, group, and organization, we adapted to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges included finding ways to assist the font-line workers in the agricultural community, keeping the Floodzilla Gage Network up and running, and finding creative ways to uphold our partnership in Fish Farm Flood. 2020 was also the year that we said goodbye to Cynthia Krass, or Executive Director of 10 years. Fall of 2021 Floodzilla.com, formerly a flood forecasting website, merged with Floodzilla.svpa.us, the website displaying real-time water levels around the Valley, to create a single-stop flood monitoring website.
2022
This year we said ‘Hello’ to our new Executive Director, Lauren Silver! With Lauren’s help, SVPA will be advocating on behalf of Valley residents in the crafting of the King County Comprehensive Plan, the Ag Strategic Plan, and Fish Farm Flood. Floodzilla Gage Network will move forward on the installation of 4 new monitoring sites around the lower Snoqualmie Valley, and will be applying for another round of funding from the King County Flood Control District to expand its network and progress to creating real-time inundation maps.
SVPA HOTLINE
Have a question about your property? About permitting? Leasing your land? The SVPA staff and board have valuable experience, gained through years of work helping farmers and land managers in the Valley, and we are happy to share that knowledge. If you have a question about any issue related to managing your farm or rural lands in the Snoqualmie Valley, give us a Call at 425-549-0316 or email us at howcanwehelp@svpa.us. We will do our best to provide assistance, or connect you with someone who can.
CONTACT INFO
Questions, comments, concerns? We’d love to hear from you.
Lauren Silver
Executive Director
lauren@svpa.us
Office: 425-549-0316
Regina Fletcher
Field Scientist, Floodzilla
regina@svpa.us