King County has scheduled two meetings June 8 on Mercer Island, where people can learn more about how large wood is used in a variety of ways within river environments.

Meetings covering the same subject matter are scheduled for 3-5 p.m. and again from 6-8 p.m. at the Mercer Island Community Center at 8236 SE 24th St., Mercer Island.

King County uses large wood to improve habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as to redirect river currents and prevent erosion in levee repair and flood risk-reduction projects, many of which are funded by the King County Flood Control District.

Presentations will include descriptions, schedules and impacts of five projects currently in the planning stage that include placing or recruiting large wood in rivers:

• Cedar River – Elliott Bridge reach off-channel habitat and floodplain reconnection;

• Green River – Teufel Nursery large wood mitigation, Porter Levee setback and Auburn Narrows Road and Revetment removal;

• Bear Creek – Doyle property habitat enhancement.

A special report, “Third-Party Review of Projects Involving Large Wood Emplacements,” will be given on the effectiveness of using large wood relative to project goals and public safety. The study, a requirement of King County’s Public Rule on large wood and public safety, evaluated four sample projects that have been completed:

• Cedar River – Belmondo Revetment enhancement and Herzman Levee repair;

• Green River – Reddington Levee setback extension;

• Snoqualmie River – Upper Carlson floodplain restoration.

Residents, project neighbors, environmental professionals and safety and recreation enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the meetings to learn about these projects and the use of large wood in rivers, ask questions or make comments.

More information is available by contacting Laird O’Rollins of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Water and Land Resources Division, laird.orollins@kingcounty.gov, 206-477-4790 or follow the Large Wood Annual Meeting link at kingcounty.gov/rivers.