Erosion solution eludes officials

Meandering Skamokawa Creek is eroding the property of a two-time United States prisoner of war, and local officials are scrambling to find a way to lend a hand.

José Castillo's black cap carries the words "US Army" and sports two pins, a sergeant's stripes and a marksman's emblem. He was a prisoner of war in the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, he told county officials last week in introducing his predicament.

His property borders Skamokawa Creek and Peterson Road in Middle Valley. The creek meanders just before going under the Peterson Road Bridge, and the current is pointed at Castillo's property. He has lost fruit trees and his chicken coop, and now his well is threatened.

On Tuesday, county commissioners hosted a meeting with Darren Haupt of the Wahkiakum Soil and Water Conservation District.

Haupt said his staff is working on various projects along Middle Valley Creek, including one involving Castillo's property.

The project, however, is just in the design phase. They'll need to obtain permits from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the US Army Corps of Engineers before they can proceed, Haupt said, and it likely won't be ready to go until next year because of the time required for processing permits.

Haupt, Castillo, Public Works Director Pete Ringen and Commissioners Blair Brady, Dan Cothren and Lisa Marsyla agreed the well needs protection this year.

Haupt said one option would be for Castillo to have rock and equipment ready in case there is a high freshet this winter. WDFW could issue an emergency permit, and Castillo could armor the bank.

However, Haupt said, it would be better to do the work in the low flows of summer when the job could be done properly.

Brady urged Castillo and Haupt to find a stop gap measure that would protect the well this summer.

Haupt suggested Castillo contact a project manager in the WDFW and work with him. Haupt said he had briefed the man about the situation.

Castillo said he would make the call, but, he added, if the agencies can't get something done, he would take matters into his own hands and risk going to jail.

"Going to jail here will be nothing compared to the five years I spent as a POW," he said.

"I'm trying to find a way to keep you out of jail and protect your property," Brady said.

"My feeling is that this needs to happen this summer in low flow and not in an emergency event," said Ringen. "I like the idea of Fish and Wildlife helping with the project."

Castillo said he would contact WDFW and keep Haupt and Ringen informed of developments.