Snohomish-Stillaguamish Local Integrating Organization (LIO)

The Snohomish-Stillaguamish Local Integrating Organization (PDF) (Sno-Stilly LIO) is one of ten LIOs in the Puget Sound region. It was established in March 2012 and subsequently recognized by the Puget Sound Partnership. The geographic area covered by the Sno-Stilly LIO includes the Snohomish River watershed (WRIA 7) and the Stillaguamish River watershed (WRIA 5). For a summary of the main concepts and goals of our integrated planning framework, please view our brochure (PDF). More details can be found in our 2017 Ecosystem Recovery Plan, which guides improvements to the local ecosystem and overall health of Puget Sound.


The LIO is funded by a $125,000 annual grant from Puget Sound Partnership (PSP). Under the terms of an interagency agreement, the LIO submits quarterly reports to PSP to document use of these funds.


Purpose

The purpose of the Sno-Stilly LIO is to serve as a local forum through which diverse stakeholders can work collaboratively to develop and coordinate actions to improve the health of the Snohomish and Stillaguamish watersheds, advance the Puget Sound Action Agenda, and restore the environmental health of Puget Sound.


Responsibilities

The Sno-Stilly LIO is tasked with the following responsibilities:

  • Coordinate with the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) and other Puget Sound LIOs.
  • Facilitate the integration of local strategies and actions that advance the planning and implementation of the 2018-2022 Puget Sound Action Agenda.
  • Work with PSP to develop and provide LIO member input for the 2022-2026 Puget Sound Action Agenda Update
  • Engage the local community to identify and prioritize local actions with a focus on addressing state identified strategic initiatives: Habitat, Shellfish, and Stormwater.
  • Facilitate collaborative opportunities among member organizations and support funding requests.

Organizational Structure

The LIO is organized by three main committees, the Executive Committee (EC) and an Implementation Committee (IC) for each watershed. The EC functions as the primary decision-making body for recovery aspects outside the salmon recovery purview (i.e. NTA funding recommendations). In the Stillaguamish watershed, the Stillaguamish Watershed Council (SWC) serves the role of the Stillaguamish IC. The SWC coordinates directly with the Snohomish IC. Salmon project decisions remain with the SWC and Snohomish Forum. The Snohomish IC meets separately from the Snohomish Basin Salmon Recovery Forum.


LIO Committees

These groups operate under adopted bylaws (PDF) as well as the terms of a grant contract and work program managed by the LIO Coordinator with support from the Partnership. Snohomish County is the fiscal agent for the local contract and provides staff support to the LIO committees.


Committee meetings are typically held at the Snohomish County Administration Building in Everett. These meetings are open to the public with opportunity for public comment. Meetings are currently being held virtually due to COVID-19.


Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is the primary decision-making body for the LIO and includes representatives from the Tulalip and Stillaguamish Tribes, King and Snohomish Counties, the Port and City of Everett, and cities in the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, and Stillaguamish basins.


Implementation Committees

The Implementation Committees (Snohomish and Stillaguamish), which were assembled to provide a broad working knowledge of local recovery actions and capabilities, makes recommendations to the Executive Committee to help advance the Puget Sound Action Agenda.


Implementation Committee Subcommittee

Subcommittees are established on an informal basis as needed to serve a particular purpose, such as studying an issue in depth. Subcommittee membership varies, depending on the purpose of the subcommittee.


Letters of Endorsement

The Sno-Stilly LIO regularly receives requests for letters of endorsement for local projects under consideration for state or federal funding. In order to provide predictability and fairness to all project sponsors, the LIO has established a policy (PDF) for producing these letters.

News and Communications