Commissioners adopt flood zone resolution, discuss next steps

In the hurry up and wait process needed to establish dredged sand disposal sites, residents of the Cape Horn neighborhood took a step forward Tuesday when Wahkiakum County commissioners passed a resolution to set them up as flood control zone district.

The board's unanimous vote drew applause from the eight or nine area residents in attendance.

The maneuver means that the residents will have legal standing for contracting with entities such as private consulting firms and the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the district can be taxed to provide funds to help pay for environmental studies and other costs associated with the permitting process.

The county board of commissioners serve as supervisors of the district, which is formed under section 86.15.080 of the Revised Code of Washington. It took effect upon passage by the board of commissioners Tuesday morning.

Before commissioners voted Tuesday, there was one last discussion of the district's boundaries.

Dr. Paul Schneider was concerned that the western boundary of the zone would end just before his property. He indicated he would "like to see the science" behind that decision.

"No," responded county Public Works Director Chuck Beyer. "We stopped at your property line with the Kelloggs."

That line is on the western end of the Schneider property and where rocky, riprapped shoreline starts. Property owners there feel they don't need beach nourishment with dredged sand.

"Okay; I misunderstood the emails," Schneider said. "That's perfect.

"Also, thank you, everybody here who has worked on this. If it happens, it will be phenomenal."

As for next steps, Commissioner Dan Cothren said that after a week of good commuication last week, he's had no communication with Corps officials this week.

County officials are waiting for the Corps to approve a memorandum of agreement with the county to set up a 10-year disposal program for Cape Horn and Puget Island sites, and they're waiting for Corps attorneys to revise the right of entry permits residents will need to sign to allow dredge crews to work on the shoreline in front of their houses.

Meanwhile, the county's engineering consultant is working on designs and data that will be needed for permit applications.

One hurdle is settling permitting jurisdiction among Corps offices. The Portland office, with whom county officials are communicating, handles permitting in Columbia River waters, but the Seattle office handles land based permits in Washington. County officials have requested that total authority go to Portland officials, with whom county officials have a long working relationship.

"I know they're working on it, but we need communication," Cothren said.