King County's Department of Natural Resources and Parks reports new studies show health in a quarter of local streams is getting better, with room for continued improvements. "We can make a difference in our stream health and we have made a difference over the last 20 years," Water Quality Planner II Beth Sosik said. "Now that we know the things we're doing are making a difference, we should lean into and do more. We shouldn't just settle for the status quo. This is not a time to sit back and say, well, we've done our job, because we still have a long way to go." Environmental scientists monitored 120 streams for 20 years, collecting and organizing aquatic insects to assess the impacts of development and of restoration projects. According to the county, even streams heavily impacted by development can improve over time "by more than what scientists expected was possible." Studies showed water is getting cleaner and the ecosystem is faring better in many streams -- an impact that trickles up to salmon and ultimately other species like Southern Resident orcas, according to the county. Read more: https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/king-county-stream-health-improving/281-5887bab8-57cd-4026-a31a-6201e597754e