Conservation district holds community forum on flooding

A brainstorming event that included area landowners, Conservation District supervisors and concerned citizens was held February 2 at Skamokawa Methodist Church. The concern of serious area flooding was the consensus of problems facing Wahkiakum County.

Darin Houpt, Wahkiakum Conservation District manager, said the main reason to bring the group together was to find long range planning for relief to area residents. But that means long range; perhaps five to seven years.

“There is no magic light switch. Things take time,” he said.

Ray Ledgerwood, program coordinator with the Washington Conservation Commission, separated the meeting’s attendees into small groups. He asked the question, “If WCD had the time, money and energy to work on one natural resource issue, what would it be?”

He had the groups list the first, second, third most important items. Consensus of the three groups was to improve stream function to prevent flooding of the area. Board Member Carrie Kennedy said her group wanted to see the WCD stay on as a source of education for the community.

“It seems to be the hub to get information on grants and conservation things that on our own would be hard to chase after,” she said.

Ledgerwood then had groups draw pictures of the county and point out the geographic needs of the area. Again, a group consensus elected to have the district finish the work that has already started on the Skamokawa Creek project, however, believe the Grays River to be a very important issue.

In the final leg of the forum, groups listed the most important ideas for WCD improvement. The three groups came up with many ideas, with number one being the district sending out an email with meeting times and agendas so interested citizens can become involved.

Other ideas included purchasing dredge equipment for use within the county, connecting with other land management agencies and community groups for their ideas for improvements, and holding community meetings for education and feedback.