Meeting summary: Cemetery Pond wetland restoration final design public presentation and Q&A session

A: Fill and changes to the wetland began around the 1940s.

A: The fill is currently about 5-6 feet deep, averaging about 5 feet. The excavation will go down to a similar depth as the existing wetland. The goal is to maximize fill removal and increase water storage capacity, with flexibility to adjust depth based on native soil conditions.

A: Existing beaver dams will be removed first, which currently controls water surface elevation. Work will be done during the driest part of the year when water levels are the lowest. Water management will include diversion pipes and potential barriers like metal frames with plastic sheeting or inflatable dams to control water flow during excavation.

A: None of those infrastructures will be touched. The existing large manhole with pipes coming into it will remain unchanged. Replacing this infrastructure requires fish passage considerations which are beyond the scope of the project.

A: Beaver dams will be removed. The grading is designed to encourage beavers to place their dam in a more manageable location. We're not touching the outlet manhole or making specific fish passage improvements, but there will be fish habitat improvements. While creating hummocks and islands might create channel-like pathways, these are not specifically for fish passage but for fish habitat.

A: 166th avenue SE is a privately owned road and is outside of the project area. The Cemetery Pond Wetland Protection and Restoration project will add stormwater storage volume, which may alleviate flooding for smaller storm events but larger storm events may continue to result in local flooding. The primary factor determining localized water surface elevations is the beaver dam management within the wetland. Gwendolyn High stated that she is interested in applying for the 2026 King County Participatory Budgeting funds to help address the166th Avenue SE flooding concerns.

A: Parking was evaluated during project design and determined infeasible within the current project scope. Adding parking on 164^th Ave SE south of SE 128^th St would require widening and upgrading the road to current standards, which are beyond the scope of the current project. 

A: We don't have a live feed at this time but will evaluate if one can be provided. Wildlife photos included in the final design presentation were collected by a temporary trail camera at the site.

A: The project has worked through design, permitting, and grant funding requirements to maximize trails within the project footprint. There is a long-term goal to build more trails as Cemetery Pond site is expanded through purchase of adjacent parcels from willing landowners.

A: The project seeks to minimize impacts to birds. Wildlife surveys will be conducted before construction. The project will start in July, which is near the tail end of the nesting season. Site conditions will be better for birds when construction is complete. While construction will be noisy for a few months, birds can find refuge in wetland areas that are untouched by construction and return after planting begins.

A: Markings are related to a survey of tree salvage and protection.

A: We don't have a construction contract yet, but we're hoping to mobilize construction in 2026. Construction should take about 3 months total for heavy earthwork (intensive clearing work, likely in the heart of summer when things are driest). It will then take another one to two years for plants to get established. I know we have a lot of people here that know how native plants work so we're really hoping that even though it takes a while for the plants to get healthy and established, that we can potentially invite the public in with work parties before those plants are fully set.

A: A traffic control plan has been prepared for construction vehicles during heavy earthwork. Temporary lane closures of the right lane of eastbound SE 128th St are anticipated and recommended to clear during afternoon peak traffic (3–6pm). Parcels purchased for construction will be leveraged for staging when possible to minimize impact on roads and neighbors. If the soil is clean, it can be reused. If contaminated, it will be moved to an appropriate landfill.

A: The house was sold to the County in March 2025. The property is not included within the project because the purchase occurred after project design and permitting was completed. Planning and design is being initiated, with the long-term goal of adding this property to Cemetery Pond.

A: The project is in unincorporated King County, just outside Renton's jurisdiction. The city was invited and has helped push messages about the project to a wider audience.

A: Gwendolyn High from CARE offered to add interested people to their email distribution list. To be added to their email list contact highlands_neighbors@hotmail.com. In addition, King County Department of Local Services welcomes community input and concerns.