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Flood Control:
1-09-10 Upper Cowlitz River Flood Control Meeting notes
11-03-09 High Valley Revetment Meeting notes
9-18-09 Army Corps of Engineers walk through notesNew Flood Control Posting- September 17th, 2009
UPPER COWLITZ RIVER FLOOD CONTROL
In response to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) study, a meeting was convened to develop a strategy aimed at implementing the recommendations of the study. The main study recommendations were to:
- Protect the Franklyn Bridge (Skate Creek Bridge) by controlling the wood debris in the river channel above the bridge.
- Install a new revetment across Cannon Road on Forest Service land to protect much of HV 8/11 from another major channel migration.
- Repair existing revetments on both sides of the river.
- Create a flood control district for the upper Cowlitz.
The NRCS study provides the scientific information necessary to combat the proposed Channel Migration Zone (red zone) regulations which would halt development along much of the land near the river and greatly reduce property values. By implementing the NRCS recommendations, much of the area in the red zone can be protected vs the CMZ assumption that the continued migration of the river will inevitably wash infrastructure, homes and property down the river.
Three main alternatives are being considered; all focus on the recommendations of the NCRS study as the basis for going forward. Those alternatives are:
- Continue to push Lewis County to take the lead using the NRCS recommendations as a basis.
- Prepare for a flood event and implement the NRCS recommendations during or shortly on an emergency basis.
- Form a Flood Control District based on the NRCS recommendations and look for grants for implementation.
The various agencies (County, NRCS, Forest Service, etc.) indicate that the formation of a flood control district is the best option.
John Anderson, a member of HVCC, has formed a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to challenge the CMZ assumptions as well as change the focus toward implementing the NRCS recommendations. Lee Grose is also organizing a TAC which he believes should combine with John Anderson’s effort.
HVCC’s position is that the infrastructure, homes and property along the upper Cowlitz River need to be protected!
Cowlitz Migration Zone... Official Contact Reports by Gary McCarty
9-17-09 September Contact Report by Gary McCarty Notes in order of date contacted.
9-10-09 August Contact Report by Gary McCarty Notes in order of date contacted.
8-17-09 July Contact Report by Gary McCarty Notes in order of date contacted.
9-16-09 Strategy response to NATIONAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICES (NRCS) Study Reports below
9-14-09 NATIONAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICES (NRCS) study report
9-3-09 NATIONAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICES (NRCS) study report
9-17-09 Upper Cowlitz River Community Awareness Committee Email
9-7-09 Preparation Meeting with John Anderson and Jim Brazil notes
8-20-09 High Valley 8 Revetment / Mountain View Drive letterPrevious Flood Control Posting:
In the January 2009 HVCC Board meeting the Board decided that High Valley should become more proactive in trying to force action in controlling the upper Cowlitz River. A recently published study (CMZ) of the upper Cowlitz, paid for by the County, has defined the channel migration risk over the next ten years. The highest risk area is a “red zone” in which the county plans to regulate building as follows:
- No new construction
- No repair of damage in excess of 50% of value
- No expansion of structural footprint
This regulation would impact about one third of the properties in High Valley as well as the water system, club house, swimming pools and maintenance facilities.
There are several concerns brought about by the study and the proposed regulations including:
- Property values in the red zone will plummet
- No prevention or mitigation steps are being contemplated by the county
- The study assumed current protections (dikes, riprap,) will disappear.
- The study ignored a parallel study by the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that is nearly complete. That study will define high risk areas but will also define means of protecting the high risk areas, the cost of that protection and the cost on not protecting those areas. It will also define the steps necessary to form a flood control district; such a district will be needed to ensure the long term protection of river side properties.
- Regulations were to be enacted in September however public outcry has resulted in slowing the process down until next year.
The Board has taken some steps already to address the channel migration/flooding issue by joining the Multi Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) that is currently being updated. Joining the Plan will help in obtaining grants to pay for mitigation activities. We have already provided an inventory of properties and facilities that are at risk. Next we will provide the MJHMP with our view of the mitigation steps necessary to protect HVCC and the cost of those steps. The NRCS study should give us that information. Implementation next steps are likely to be: Form a Flood Control District and generate some private funding Apply for grants to fully fund the District Pressure the County to protect our most vulnerable area Mountain View Drive
Previous post:
The flood of November 2007 caused major damage to High Valley properties. Some property owners lost their homes and much of their property due to erosion. There is substantial risk that High Valley 4, High Valley 6, and High Valley 8/11 could suffer flood damage. See the High Valley maps for locations of these areas. The High Valley Board has no authority in this matter
High Valley Owners Don Kreshak and John Anderson have organized meetings with responsible people in the county, state and federal governments to communicate on this issue. Concerned citizens are urged to write to the authorities. A suggested letter content and appropriate contacts is available. Contact for more information is John F. Anderson info@packwoodemergency.net.
If further meetings are scheduled, we will attempt to post the dates and times on this web site. Issues of lesser importance are often brought up and discussed in the monthly board meetings. See the messages from the board and board meeting minutes for that information.