Dear beautiful Community,

Thank you again for your continued support, kind words, and thoughtful offers to uplift DRCC and the vibrant neighborhoods of the Duwamish Valley. Your encouragement means so much.

As we are facing a rising storm of attacks on our communities, values, mission, and budgets, but we will stand firm. While we won’t be hosting our beloved Duwamish River Festival this year, we’re excited to offer a series of smaller, meaningful events throughout the summer to honor and celebrate this incredible community. These gatherings will help keep the spirit of the festival alive in new and creative ways.

If you’re interested in collaborating or have an idea that aligns with our mission, We’d love to hear from you. We welcome opportunities to work together in support of our shared vision.

Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to continue our annual Beer and Chocolate Event this October 2nd—our flagship fundraising event. Sponsorships help fuel our vital work in environmental justice, and your support makes a real difference.

Thanks to your contributions, we’re able to:

• Champion bold climate policy and community resiliency,

• Advance clean air initiatives through our Clean Air Project, and

• Invest in the next generation of leaders through the Duwamish Valley Youth Corps, which empowers local youth to restore habitats, learn green jobs, and build leadership skills.

We're also launching a dedicated emergency fund to support immigrant and refugee communities. A portion of sponsorships and donations will go toward services like immigration clinics, notary assistance, legal aid, and other urgent needs.

Thank you again for standing with us. We are, without a doubt, stronger together.

Please DONATE HERE: https://www.drcc.org/donate

With deep appreciation and gratitude, 

Mickiala Gonzales

Development Coordinator 

mickiala@drcc.org 

Advocacy and Stewardship

Flooding resource in the Duwamish Valley

DRCC Attends the US Water Alliance’s One Water Summit

Earlier this month, our Advocacy and Community Resilience Manager attended the US Water Alliance’s One Water Summit as a member of the Water Equity Network (WEN) Frontline Communities Delegation. One Water Summit is a national gathering of diverse water leaders, hosting conversations that spark innovation by creating unique spaces for collaboration—centered around timely water challenges and solutions—through plenaries, workshops, learning labs and site-visits, as well as networking time between individuals, organizations, and delegations. 

The Frontline Communities Delegation believes water is a force for equity and opportunity. Black, Indigenous, communities of color, and low-income communities face an array of water-related challenges: affordability, water quality concerns, flooding, and more. At the same time, water can be an essential part of building thriving, healthy communities for all. Frontline community organizations are often the mouthpiece, the advocate, and the connection to these communities and it is essential to incorporate these voices and perspectives into the decision-making process of water management. As representatives of the Alliance’s Water Equity Network, a nationwide community of practice, the WEN Frontline Communities Delegation provides a space for leaders from organizations that have strong relationships with or are representative of communities most impacted by inequities to work toward a more equitable water future. 

While at the Summit, she collaborated with her Delegation peers (including staff from Seattle Public Utilities and Lake City Collective) to continue development of a job and career pathway pilot project. Both DRCC and Lake City Collective are hopeful that the results of this project will include a genuine investment in our communities and more representation by BIPOC and low-income community members in the water workforce sector.

Environmental Law & Climate Policy

EPA visited the DRCC! 

DRCC hosted a meeting with newly appointed Region 10 EPA administrator Emma PoKon who will be overseeing the cleanup of our Duwamish River.  He made it clear that our community continues to prioritize the cleanup of the Duwamish to the most healthy protective standards. We were also able to explain more about our community and our cumulative impacts as an Environmental Justice Community. So far, it seems the cleanup will continue under schedule and we will be here to report and bring community voice. 

Mouth of the Duwamish - Wet Weather Facilities

Help shape the look and feel of clean water facilities in SODO!

King County has proposed clean water facilities to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) at five outfall locations at the mouth of the Duwamish River. These facilities will help control the stormwater and wastewater that is sometimes released into the Duwamish River during heavy storms. The proposed solution includes:

• A new wet weather treatment station in SODO

• A new storage tank in West Seattle (Industrial District West)

• A new outfall for cleaned water

• New pipes and supporting facilities to connect flows along the way

Climate Justice

Beat the Heat: stay safe during hotter weather this summer

Clean Air Program

SAYS "NO!!!" TO THE PERMIT MODIFICATION THAT COULD ADD POLLUTION TO THE DUWAMISH VALLEY!

In December, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency released a draft Permit Modification and Notice of Construction Permit for the Ash Grove Cement Company located in the Duwamish Valley (3801 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98134). Modifying the air permit for Ash Grove would remove the 30% limit on the burning of tires as a fuel source. Burning tires can emit particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and other toxic chemicals like dioxins and furans into the air. These increases could potentially impact human health.

SIGN UP BELOW TO JOIN OUR LOCAL COALITION THAT SAYS "NO!!!" TO THE PERMIT MODIFICATION THAT COULD ADD POLLUTION TO THE DUWAMISH VALLEY!

Duwamish Valley Youth Corps

Congratulations to our Spring cohort for graduating

Our youth work hard throughout 10 weeks learning about Environmental Justice in the Duwamish Valley. Dedicating time and sharing there stories. We are proud of all the growth all our 56 youth achieved throughout these weeks. Congratulations!

Help us Welcome Christopher Castro

Christopher was raised in South Seattle, where his passion for environmental justice grew due to the issues he noticed within his community. From 8th grade through high school, he participated as a member of the Duwamish Valley Youth Corps (DVYC) where he learned and worked to defend and restore his community’s river. From these experiences he witnessed how environmental challenges distinctly affect disadvantaged neighborhoods and how it's important to advocate for his community to get things done.

Duwamish Waterway Park Expansion

Have you heard about the expansion of the Duwamish Waterway Park? Come learn more and share your input in the site plans.

Duwamish River Festival - Suspended

Dear Community, Sponsor, Partners, Families , and Friends of the Duwamish Valley,

As you know, the Duwamish River Community Coalition is deeply committed to advocating for social, environmental, climate, and racial justice. At the core of our mission is uplifting the voices of our community - especially those too often unheard.

In light of recent events unfolding across the country and growing uncertainty around how to best protect our neighbors, we've made the incredibly difficult decision to cancel this year's Duwamish River Festival.

We want to thank you for being part of our planned event. Your presence would have brought so much joy to our community, which is especially needed right now. While this cancellation is heartbreaking, the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors must always come first.

DRCC remains committed to our mission, and we look forward to the day we can come together again in celebration, solidarity, and strength. I truly hope we have the chance to partner with you in the future.

Until then, continue standing up for your community, caring for our shared environment, and holding space for joy. Wishing you a safe and vibrant summer ahead.