Chehalis River Basin Flood AuthorityEducation and Outreach Subcommittee

Actions and Activities Benefiting the Basin

10:00 a.m., April 15, 2013

Lewis County Board of Commissioners

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Today’s Presentation

Raise awareness

Encourage discussion

Key messages we’d like to leave you with . . .

1. Broad agreement -- For the first time in a century there is broad agreement across the Basin on next steps to reduce flood damage and enhance salmon runs in the Basin.

2. Basin-wide strategy -- A Basin-wide strategy is needed to protect communities along the river and enhance salmon runs.

3. Flood Authority -- Positioned to continue be a galvanizing force in the Basin to collaboratively implement tools and projects.

Discussion

April 2013

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Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority

April 2013

Grays Harbor County Lewis County Thurston County City of Aberdeen

City of Napavine City of Oakville Town of Pe Ell Town of Bucoda

Formed in 2008

Formal body focused on: (1) flood hazard mitigation throughout the Basin; and (2) decision-making that is . . . informed by science. protective of Basin residents/communities. environmentally appropriate.

Basin jurisdictions represented City of Centralia City of Chehalis City of Cosmopolis City of Montesano

4April 2013

2007 Flood -- $938M Basin-wide damage, $300M lost economic activity (WA)

City of Centralia STEVE RINGMAN / SEATTLE TIMES

Exit 77 (I-5) in Chehalis STEVE RINGMAN / SEATTLE TIMES

Background

Photos Source: LEWIS COUNTY,DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

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Ranked high flow events (1932 - 2012) . . . I-5 closed 1990, 1996, 2007, 2009. Five largest events since 1986 -- Frequent floods are getting worse and

damage is increasing . . . Chart -- Chehalis River Flow Rates near Grand Mound (cubic ft./sec.)

April 2013

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913

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Background

6April 2013

Background

Response and recovery is expensive, takes time, and may not be fully achieved (at least on a near-term time scale) . . .

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Chehalis is the second largest river basin in the state, rich in natural resources . . .

April 2013

Background

Upper Chehalis (5/31/2010) JAMES E. WILCOX / WILD GAME FISH CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL

www.chehalisbasinpartnership.org

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Need -- Strategy, Action, Tools . . .

April 2013

Strategy = Basin-wide Solution

A. Significant reduction in flood damage.

B. Solving one’s problems doesn’t increase another’s.

C. Maintain focus in five areas:1. major capital projects.

2. localized projects.

3. land use management.

4. fish and habitat enhancements.

5. flood warning, emergency response.

William D. Ruckelshaus Center

9April 2013

2012 Capital Budget:

1. $5.0M – Local projects.

(Lewis County = $1,983,974)

2013 Proposed Budget:

2. $10.7M -- Local projects.

3. $9.2M -- Design evaluations by 2014 for Upper Basin dam (~$5.6M) and I-5 protection (~$3.4M).

4. $4.3M -- Fish and habitat enhancements.

5. $1.8M -- Local programs (buyouts, flood proofing, home elevations).

6. $2.2M – Implementation capacity, technical experts.

Action – Capital Projects (2012, 2013)(Scroll down to “Chehalis Basin -- Projects Funded, Projects Proposed for Funding”)

http://www.ezview.wa.gov/pr/?alias=1492#map

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Action – Spotlighting Other Key Projects

April 2013

I-5 - Mellen Street to Blakeslee Junction Dedicated collector/distributor lanes to improve local

mobility, enhance safety and improve access to hospital, airport, etc.

Airport road culverts to drain flood waters away from Chamber Way.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/mellentograndmound/phase3/

Visualization and Photo Source: WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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Tools -- Flood Warning System

www.chehalisriverflood.com

April 2013

Front-facing website.

Back-end data collection, data synchronization.

Improves forecasting and early-warning.

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Tools -- Flood Warning System

April 2013

Localized tracking, forecasting . . . www.chehalisriverflood.com

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Tools -- Flood Warning System

April 2013

Localized tracking, forecasting . . . www.chehalisriverflood.com

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Tools -- Hydraulic Analysis Model

Science-based model to inform decision-makers on hydraulic effects of potential flood relief options (at basin-wide and localized scales).

April 2013

Covers mouth of Chehalis River upstream to Pe Ell (108 miles).

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Tools -- Hydraulic Analysis Model

April 2013

Example: Basin-wide effects analysis (Chehalis Basin Flood Hazard Mitigation Alternatives Report 12/2012)

Table 1 (pg.70) -- “Mainstem Dam, Upper Chehalis”

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Tools -- Fish Studies

Two significant fish studies conducted in Upper Basin (WRIA 23).

1. Analyze effect of dam alternatives on Spring Chinook, Steelhead and Coho.

2. Prioritize potential fish habitat enhancement opportunities.

Initial and preliminary projections . . .

April 2013

Species Multi-Purpose Dam

Flood Control-Only Dam

Fish Habitat Enhancement

Measures

Spring Chinook 20% 4% likely same as Coho

Steelhead 7% 11% likely same as Coho

Coho 1% 1% 4-5%

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Resources, Additional Information

Visit Flood Authority Web Library!

Legislature (4/15/2013):

SHB1089 (Sec. 1077 and 1078)

SSB5035 (Sec. 1075)

April 2013

www.ezview.wa.gov

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Thank You!

April 2013

Vickie Raines, Chair

Chehalis Basin Flood Authority

360/590-4100

vraines@cosmopolis.us.com

Scott Boettcher, Staff

Chehalis Basin Flood Authority

360/480-6600

scottb@sbgh-partners.com

Edna Fund, Chair

Education and Outreach Subcommmittee (Flood Authority)

360/269-7515

Edna.Fund@lewiscountywa.gov

Karen Valenzuela, Vice-Chair

Chehalis Basin Flood Authority

360/786-5440

ValenzK@co.thurston.wa.us