Lewis County area residents will have four opportunities this month to learn more about the latest work being done for flood reduction and aquatic species enhancement in the Chehalis River Basin.
The Chehalis Basin Strategy “Reducing Flood Damage and Enhancing Aquatic Species” Policy Workshop — organized by the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority and the Governor’s Chehalis Basin Work Group — will be held at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 22, and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 23.
Additionally, the Chehalis Basin strategy will be presented at two community meetings from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the Veterans Museum in Chehalis and from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at Montesano City Hall.
“This is really looking at the conclusion, the cost and benefits and potential impacts of water retention,” Jim Kramer, Chehalis Basin project manager, said. “This is really for the first time some pretty detailed estimates. Ultimately, our next step is to do a comparison of different options.”
A final workshop will be held Sept. 25 and Sept. 26.
The purpose of the policy workshops is to present studies to the Governor’s Work Group, Flood Authority, tribal officials, state agency managers and the public who will provide input regarding the policy implications, organizers said.
The Governor’s Work Group will use input from the upcoming meetings to form its recommendations to the governor and state Legislature by November.
The public meetings will specifically cover the benefits and impacts of a potential dam on the Chehalis River, alternatives to protect Interstate 5, aquatic species enhancement plans and local floodplain management programs.
Kramer said the two community meetings were scheduled later in the evening to accommodate work schedules. Kramer will host a formal presentation each evening on May 28 and 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., including time for questions and answers.
Informational stations will also be set up from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. for attendees.
