The restoration of the Duwamish River was the primary focus of Duwamish Alive! on April 16, an event that brought together environmental, tribal, community, and elected officials. But it was also a chance to dedicate a hand launch boat ramp at T-107 (4700 West Marginal Way) and a commemorative bench honoring the late Ken Wise, West Seattle Rotarian.

An estimated 1100 volunteers in 13 work parties at multiple sites along the river bank performed cleanup and restoration work.

An interpretive sign was unveiled at the event as well. The sign is a project funded by the Rotary Club of West Seattle, with cultural and historic information created and reviewed by People for Puget Sound, the Port of Seattle, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition/TAG (DRCC), Suquamish Tribe, Duwamish Tribe, and the Burke Museum. Sign artwork by Noel Design. To see a larger version of the sign click HERE.

The hand-carry boat launch for kayaks and canoes was the product of a partnership between the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition/TAG, The Rotary Club of West Seattle, People For Puget Sound, and the Port of Seattle.

The honor of being the first boat to launch from the newly refurbished site went to the Blue Heron Canoe a Northwest Coast Salish cedar canoe, whose crew was picked by Skipper Mike Evans of the Snohomish Tribe.

Speaking at the event were The Duwamish Tribe's Chairwoman, the Honorable Cecile Hanson, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin, and Port of Seattle Commissioner Gael Tarleton.

Constantine emphasized the importance of carrying out the clean up effort on the river quickly. "Every day that goes by tbat this river remains as contaminated as it has been, exposes more people to toxics (...) We cannot wait another generation to begin undoing the damage of this last century," he said.

After the work parties an Earth Day Festival was held at Pathfinder K-8 School.

DRCC/TAG is a non-profit organization providing citizen involvement in the Lower Duwamish Superfund Cleanup process.