Support a basin-wide solution to flooding and aquatic species restoration BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF: RESOLUTION NO. 20-154
SUPPORT A BASIN-WIDE SOLUTION TO FLOODING
AND AQUATIC SPECIES RESTORATION
WHEREAS, in 2010 and 2016, Lewis County, like many other jurisdictions in the Basin,
adopted local resolutions in support of a Basin-wide solution to flooding and aquatic
species restoration as developed through the Chehalis Basin process, which can be
accessed through the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority's Local Resolutions Library at
https://www.ezview.wa.gov/site/alias_1492/37643/local_resolutions.aspx; and
WHEREAS, Lewis County foresees a future through the Chehalis Basin process where
our families and communities are protected from the worst of the periodic catastrophic
floods that hit our Basin and a future where habitat restoration projects have turned a
declining fishery into a vibrant fishery; and
WHEREAS, on April 21, 2020, the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority stated its
support for the Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District's proposed Chehalis
River Basin Flood Damage Reduction Project and view that the institutional governance
capacity existed in the Basin to identify and implement sufficient "technically feasible
and economically practicable" mitigation as required (see "Final CRBFA Letter re DEIS"
in the Local Resolutions Library at https://www.ezview.wa.gov/site/alias1492/37643/
local_resolutions.aspx).; and
WHEREAS, the Flood Authority's position on the District's proposed Chehalis River
Basin Flood Damage Reduction Project is consistent with previous positions and
statements supporting balanced, Basin-wide solutions for flooding and aquatic species
restoration made by Lewis County; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Ecology's Draft Environmental Impact Statement shows
the District's proposed Chehalis River Basin Flood Damage Reduction Project will deliver
significant reductions in catastrophic levels of flooding for Basin communities and
provide substantial reductions in impact and flood inundation for thousands of
structures, including homes, schools, churches, small businesses, state highways and
1-5 provided impacts are acceptably mitigated; and
WHEREAS, the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority, Office of Chehalis Basin, Chehalis
Basin Board, Chehalis Basin Flood Control Zone District and Chehalis Basin Strategy
together provide a well-structured governance and funding framework that has
delivered much positive "flood" and "fish" benefit to the Basin since the catastrophic
floods of 2007 and 2009.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lewis County Board of County
Commissioners resolves to support and offer Lewis County's continued participation in
the integrated processes of the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority, Office of Chehalis
Basin, Chehalis Basin Board, Chehalis Basin Flood Control Zone District, and Chehalis
Basin Strategy as the best way to deliver the most beneficial combination of flood
protection and aquatic species enhancement that all Basin citizens, tribal partners,
stakeholders, and "flood" and "fish" interests deserve.
DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 11th day of May, 2020.
APPROVED AS TO FORM: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Jonathan Meyer, Prosecuting Attorney LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Eric Eisenberg Gary Stamper
-- ------ - -
By: Eric Eisenberg, Gary Stamper, Chair
Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
ATTEST: Edna J . Fund
Edna J. Fund, Vice Chair
Rieva Lester Robert C. Jackson
Rieva Lester, Robert C. Jackson, Commissioner
Clerk of the Lewis County Board of County
Commissioners
BOCC AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Resolution: 20-154 BOCC Meeting Date: May 11, 2020
Suggested Wording for Agenda Item: Agenda Type: Deliberation
Support a basin-wide solution to flooding and aquatic species restoration
Contact: Rieva Lester Phone:
Department: BOCC - Board of County Commissioners
Description:
To support and offer Lewis County's continued participation in the integrated processes of the
Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority, Office of Chehalis Basin, Chehalis Basin Board, Chehalis Basin
Flood Control Zone District, and Chehalis Basin Strategy as the best way to deliver the most
beneficial combination of flood protection and aquatic species enhancement all Basin citizens,
stakeholders, and "flood" and "fish" interests deserve.
Approvals: Publication Requirements:
Publications:
User Status
PA's Office Approved
Additional Copies: Cover Letter To:
Scott Boettcher: scottb@sbgh-partners.com