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Programs and Projects

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investment

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and President Joe Biden signed it into law in November 2021. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submitted a detailed spend plan to Congress as required by Jan. 14, 2022, 60 days after enactment of the legislation. The projects receiving funding were announced Jan. 19, 2022.

According to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Works’ Policy Guidance on Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Act provides $465,000,000 for the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP), which allows USACE to plan, design, and implement water resource projects, on a smaller scale, without additional project specific congressional authorization. This is particularly useful for local governments and agencies needing help with anything from streambank protection to storm and flood damage reduction.

Of the $465,000,000 allocated to the CAP, $115,000,000 is specifically for Section 206 projects, at full Federal expense, to restore fish and wildlife passage by removing in-stream barriers, and to provide technical assistance to non-Federal interests carrying out such activities.

Mountlake Terrace Lake Ballinger Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project

Scope 

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, has partnered with City of Mountlake Terrace to restore wetlands, riparian corridors, and fish and wildlife habitat within Lake Ballinger under Section 206 of the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP).

This program authorizes the Corps to plan, design, and construct small scale projects under existing program authorities from Congress.  The project will create and preserve critical habitat for species of concern (e.g., amphibians) and provide significant habitat for migrating birds and many species of waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway. 

The project site is located at Ballinger Park in Mountlake Terrace.

Sponsor

The sponsor of the project is the City of Mountlake Terrace, Washington. 

Objectives

  • Restore wetlands, riparian corridors, and fish and wildlife habitat. 
  • Create and preserve critical habitat for species of concern (e.g., amphibians) in a rapidly developing urban area.
  • Provide significant habitat for migrating birds and many species of waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway.
  • Create more places for birds, fish, turtles, salamanders, and aquatic mammals to live.
  • Replace a vehicle crossing and add a pedestrian boardwalk, to ensure access and limit plant damage.
  • Complete minor enhancements to pond habitat.
  • Develop a more contemplative park that’s close to home for visitors to interact with. 

Milestones

  • Jan. 11, 2023 - Seattle District awarded a $5.5 million contract to Tunista Construction LLC of Federal Way, Washington.
  • May 30, 2023 - Groundbreaking ceremony at Ballinger Park. 
  • May 2023 - Established construction site and staging of equipment and materials.
  • June 2023 - Construction begins.

Public Notices

Tunista Construction, LLC, under contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will be mobilizing into the park in early to mid-May 2023, and will be adding a high-visibility construction fence around their work activities. For your safety and that of your pets, please stay out of the construction area.

Earthwork in the park is anticipated to begin in early June 2023. Some areas on the east side of the park along the new trail will remain open to park visitors, but a large portion of the park will be under construction into November 2023.

For residents with backyards on Hall Creek, crews will be removing invasive plants from the creek edge and replanting native plants along the creek edge of your property. There will be construction noise (limited to 7a.m. to 6 p.m.) associated with equipment moving on site, as well as from the boardwalk and bridge construction. 

Residents may see an increase in construction vehicles on adjacent streets and expect minor traffic flow disruptions in the Mountlake Terrace Senior Community Center parking lot.

USACE has approved construction work hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The contractor may only work during periods approved by the Corps, even if the city approves variances to work outside those hours.

Check back here for updates.