A prime example of Tacoma's dedication to environmental clean up is the Thea Foss Waterway. After more than a century of indiscriminate dumping and insensitive environmental practices, the historic waterway is now the focus of a major environmental cleanup, and home to new retail outlets, condominiums, and marinas. The waterway has become a symbol of the city's success and a vital, urban waterfront where people live, play, and work.  

Pierce County has adopted a comprehensive approach to both habitat protection and restoration by balancing legal responsibilities with decisions that are appropriate for the citizens and the environment. Community-based planning is central to the county's effort to protect the natural assets while still providing for jobs, housing, and recreation.  

One example of the city's preservation efforts is the purchase of the salmon habitat on the Puyallup River. Lands that frequently flood have been purchased with local and Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, the levees moved back, and the river allowed to return to a more natural state. The result is more holding capacity during flood events and more habitat for salmon.  

TAGRO
Committed to keeping the environment clean for the benefit all people who live in or visit the city, Tacoma earned a prestigious award from the EPA for the city’s popular line of gardening products made from biosolids called TAGRO. Earning a first place National Clean Water Act Recognition Award from the EPA in the category of Technology Innovation or Development Activities, this is the second national first-place award for the TAGRO products.