Faced with the options of canceling projects, closing up shop or asking for money, the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority has asked the Governor’s office for $2.3 million to continue its work.

    The group charged with finding a basin-wide solution in 2008 is estimated to run out of its initial $2.5 million by the middle of next year. Without the extra funding, the Authority would not be able to cover its consulting fees or pay staff, among other things.

    “As we look at our budget, we will have it all obligated by June 2010, and it doesn’t look like we’ll have a flood district or a flood zone district by then,” said Ron Averill, chairman of the Authority. 

    The $2.5 million would come from a $47.5 million state appropriation meant to help fund the Army Corps of Engineers’ Twin Cities levee project.

    Bruce Mackey, lead agent with the consulting group ESA Adolfson for the Authority, said $1 million of the money requested will go to help form a flood district or flood zone district. Another $1.2 million will help pay for consulting services, studies and projects. The rest will be spent on salaries, benefits and supplies.

    Chehalis City Council member Chad Taylor, the city’s representative on the Authority, said it’s a good idea to request the money and called acquiring the $2.3 million a “step forward.” However, he’s hoping to see some progress.

    “I’m still disappointed,” he said. “And I’m going to be disappointed until a shovel of dirt is turned. But you have to do the studies to get things done.”

    Averill said the chances of Gov. Chris Gregoire’s office approving the supplemental budget request were “pretty good.”

    “… we’ve provided a letter to the governor of the progress that has been made,” he said.

    Since receiving funding in 2008, the Authority, comprised of 11 jurisdictions in Lewis, Thurston, and Grays Harbor counties, has spent the majority of its money on studies into a water retention project, hydraulic model of the lower stretch of the Chehalis River and the basin ecosystem.

    Just over $900,000 has or is scheduled to be spent on consulting services through its facilitator ESA Adolfson through the middle of next year.    About $250,000 was invested in the Lewis County PUD’s study into building dams at two points along the river, in addition to the $75,000 spent to study the ecosystem’s resources.

Flood Warnings and Flood Watch Lifted

By The Chronicle

    Flood warnings and watches have been dropped for Lewis County, with rivers cresting well below flood stage levels. 

    A flood watch is a precautionary stage, with conditions favorable for flooding but not imminent, while a flood warning advises people not to drive cars or trucks through flooded areas.

    The Chehalis River at Grand Mound is expected to crest at midnight Saturday night at 1.5 feet below flood stage.

    The Newaukum River near Chehalis is expected to crest at noon on Sunday at about 3 feet below flood stage, according to the National Weather Service Web site. 

Flood Authority to Weigh Option of Flood Zone District

By The Chronicle   

    The Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority is mulling over whether to seek the formation of a flood control district or flood zone district to become a source of income.

    Ron Averill, Lewis County commissioner and chairman of the 11 jurisdiction council, said new information has been presented to promote the possibility of creating a flood zone district. However, he said he needs more information if he is to change his mind about choosing to create a flood control district instead.

    “The door is still partially open,” he said. “I can be convinced, but I need more convincing.”

    He said the biggest drawback of a flood zone district would be that the county commissioners would sit on the board, potentially leaving the county responsible in the event that something happened.

    “We would rather not have the county be liable for an independent municipal corporation,” he said.

    There also are questions about how the flood zone district would be able to generate tax revenue compared to a voter-approved flood control district.

    A flood zone district would also not have to be put before voters.

    Averill said a flood control district would already be multi-jurisdictional and could cross county lines. However, a zone district would have to form interlocal agreements with other counties’ flood zone districts.

    King County has a flood zone district and is expected to make a presentation to the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority soon.

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    Marqise Allen: (360) 807-8237