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Equitable Relocations: An Example from the Cedar River

September 11, 2025

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Today’s Speaker:

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  • Judy Blanco, Cedar River Basin Steward, Water and Land Resources, King County -

Judy has been a King County Basin Steward for the past six years. Prior to King County, she worked at Forterra for almost a decade, building a riparian restoration program that began on the Cedar River and expanded to five other watersheds by 2019. Judy has been involved in conservation and stewardship activities on the Cedar since 2008, working alongside many dedicated project partners and funders on salmon recovery, habitat restoration, flood risk reduction, and community engagement.

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Agenda:

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  • 12:00 - 12:05 - Welcome and Intro

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  • 12:05-12:15 – Acquisition & Buyout Resources

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  • 12:25 - 12:45 - Riverbend Floodplain Restoration Project

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  • 12:45 -12:55 - Q&A

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  • 12:55-1:00 - Closing

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  • 1:00 - 1:30 - Q & A continued for those that want to stay

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Stepping Stones to an Acquisition

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Stepping Stones to an Acquisition

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General Overview

This figure provides a �high-level overview of the purchase-implementation process. Different funding agencies may use different terms, have slightly different steps or varying requirements. Coordinate with your grant manager(s).

Secure Funding to Complete Project and Enter Long-Term Stewardship

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Purpose of this Tool: �Considerations to help set reasonable management strategy objectives and adequately budget by planning for the known complexity of acquisitions.

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Riverbend

Floodplain Restoration Project

Floodplains by Design Lunch & Learn 09.11.25

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Judy Blanco

Cedar River & Issaquah Creek Basin Steward

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Riverbend

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Riverbend Project Area – 2013

State Route 169

Cedar River

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Surrounding Public Land

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Channel Migration Hazard

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Riverbend Mobile Home Park Acquisition

Flood Damage November 1990

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Multiple Benefit Project

  • Improve in-stream and off-channel habitat for Chinook and other salmon by increasing channel complexity and reconnecting floodplain habitats

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  • Reduce flood risk by increasing flood storage and dissipating energy through more complex channel and connected floodplain

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  • Reduce long term cost to protect and repair damage to public infrastructure and private property

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  • Re-initiate natural river processes via setback levee/revetments to achieve multiple goals

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Riverbend Levee Setback and Floodplain Restoration Project

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February 10, 2020

5,530 cfs at Renton

~40-year flood

Previous location of Riverbend Lower Levee

Cedar River

SR 169

Cedar River Trail

Cavanaugh Pond

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Preliminary concept for discussion purposes only. Subject to modifications, review, and approval.

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Acquisition and Relocation

  • 90 families were relocated
  • 42 RVs were relocated
  • 44/90 residents spoke Spanish

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In a follow-up survey taken by the relocation consultant, residents responded as follows:

  • They felt they were treated fairly by both King County and the relocation consultant; and
  • the relocation gave them the opportunity to be in a better situation, bigger home, newer, nicer, better neighborhood, and in less debt.

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Acquisition and Relocation

Lessons Learned:

  • It is important to gain the trust of the residents.
  • Be present and available - a satellite office was open every day.
  • Many needed help regarding credit problems; filling out applications; clearing title; and learning how to write checks.
  • Be mindful of cultural differences.
  • Spend additional time with residents to establish their trust.
  • Required two Spanish-language interpreters/translators.
  • Taught how to correct credit reports.
  • Accompanied residents on all escrow signings; provided transportation; and took interpreters as needed.

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Full Relocation

Moves Per Month

Full Personal Property Only Moves Per Month

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Thank you to the project team, sponsors, and partners!

  • KC Flood Control District
  • KC Water and Land Resources Division
  • KC Parks
  • DOE - Floodplains by Design
  • Seattle Public Utilities
  • Puget Sound Energy
  • WRIA 8
  • RCO – PSAR and SRFB

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Contractor: Rodarte Construction

Construction Management: SPU

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KC Project Team:

Jon Hansen, Sarah McCarthy, Alex Hallenius, Todd Hurley, Deb Pessoa, Tracy Winjum, Cristina Olivares – many more over the years

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Check Out: FbD Priority Efforts

https://floodplainsbydesign.org/about/priority-efforts/

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Check Out: FbD Acquisition and Buyout Priority Effort Work and Resources Page

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  • Infographics (click on visual to access full set of slides)

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  • Information about key acquisition barriers

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  • Access recordings, PPTs and content from 2024 webinar series on acquisitions and Buyouts

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You Are Not Alone!!

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  • Calendar and join our monthly Acquisition Coffee chats to discuss your acquisition needs

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83375229918 or email Austin to be added to the list.

  • Oct 6th 3-4
  • Nov 3rd 3-4
  • Dec 1st 3-4

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  • Join an FbD convened group that meets aperiodically to help set FbD focus on acquisitions and buyouts

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Upcoming Events:

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  • October - Getting Help During a Flood through Mutual Aid Agreements

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  • November - TBD
  • December - TBD