Flood control zone set for Cape Horn

Wahkiakum County officials are working with residents of the Cape Horn/Flandersville area to form a political entity to address erosion issues.

The parties met Tuesday at the end of the weekly meeting of the board of county commissioners to set boundaries for a flood control zone district.

The district identifies an area with erosion problems, an organization sponsor work to address them, and property that could be assessed to help cover costs.

After going over maps prepared by the Public Works Department, citizens and officials agreed to create a zone about a mile long starting at the lower end of Flandersville and going upstream.

Commissioner Dan Cothren said a property owner another half mile up river had requested being in the zone, but after discussion, officials decided to stop short because the residential areas are separated by cliffs unsuitable for dredge spoil deposits. Another zone could be formed if the upriver residents desire, commissioners said.

County Public Works Director Chuck Beyer said he would contact Coast and Harbor Engineering to work on an amendment with their contract to plan a beach nourishment project for East Sunny Sands on Puget Island to add Cape Horn to the scope of work.

The Corps of Engineers needs right of entry permits from property owners in the zones in order to deposit sand, and the agency is updating the permit forms. When the forms are available, zone residents will be asked to sign them.

Commissioner Dan Cothren said property owners in the zones will need to pay an assessment to support the permitting process.

The county expects design and permitting of the Puget Island work will cost around $64,000, and that will deplete the county's flood control reserve. Adding another zone at Cape Horn will increase the financial impact.

"And there are other issues in the county that need attention," Beyer said.

"We have got to get these assessments," Cothren said. "We will have to borrow until we get them."

Assessor Bill Coons said the assessments would be based first on acreage and second on improvements.