2022-06-29 Flood Authority UpdateFlood Authority Update
June 29, 2022
1:31 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, Edna Fund, Scott Boettcher,
Ron Averill, Tammy Martin
Guest(s): None
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Edna Fund, Scott Boettcher and Ron Averill said the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority was formed to
reduce flood damage and restore aquatic species. They said the Flood Authority appoints three of the
Chehalis Basin Board’s seven members, coordinates the early warning system and works on local
projects for the areas it represents, including Lewis, Thurston and Grays Harbor counties as well as:
• Centralia, Chehalis, Napavine and Pe Ell in Lewis County
• Aberdeen, Cosmopolis, Hoquiam, Montesano and Oakville in Grays Harbor County
• Bucoda in Thurston County
Scott said projects have focused on the following:
• Drinking water (Boistfort and Bucoda).
• Wastewater (Montesano and Pe Ell).
• Emergency response (Grays Harbor County and the Chehalis-Centralia Airport).
• Regional Economic Infrastructure (Montesano, Port of Chehalis and the Port of Grays Harbor).
• Community protection (Aberdeen, Adna, Bucoda, Centralia, Chehalis, Chehalis Tribe,
Cosmopolis, Hoquiam and Oakville).
• Flood warning (basin-wide).
The group discussed local projects, including:
• Levee work at the Chehalis Airport.
• Farm pads at several area farms to save animals, people and equipment.
• Pre-sedimentation pond in Boistfort.
• The Adna levee.
• Floodwater management approach at the Chehalis Industrial Park.
The group discussed the merits of a coordinated flood effort. Scott noted that work continues on the
proposed water retention facility. He said a call for local projects will be issued later in the day.
Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.