Commissioners modify flood control zone area

Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday changed the boundaries of part of the Puget Island Flood Control District to accommodate input from East Sunny Sands residents and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Responding to input from a public meeting last week, commissioners approved a resolution that expanded the zone on East Sunny Sands to the east, but not as much as originally proposed. Residents of the eastern end of Sunny Sands last week said they have been gaining sand, not losing it to erosion, and so being in the zone wouldn't benefit them.

The resolution also removed land around the Puget Island Ferry landing. The Corps suggested that move to avoid depositing sand that would shift into the ferry channel and require maintenance dredging.

County officials are working with a consulting engineer to develop a program that would provide beach nourishment along the eroding shoreline for the next 10 years.

Meanwhile residents of the Flandersville/Little Cape Horn neighborhood told commissioners their beaches are eroding and need dredged sand.

Commissioner Dan Cothren told the group that commissioners are aware of the situation and have spoken about it with Corps dredging managers.