Back to top or back to home page or back to Back to Chapter Index
The authors conducted in-person, audio-taped interviews with 16 informants, including community members as well as staff and elected officials from agencies and governments involved in the flood issue.
Information about government agency and citizen involvement was collected and evaluated from several sources: committee membership lists; role in flood-related issues; records of citizens who commented on the county Draft Comprehensive Plan; and records of citizen testimony at public hearings on land use and flood decisions.
While informants were chosen based largely on their role in the Chehalis River flood control issue, the authors also attempted to ensure broad representation from a variety of interest groups. Within the time constraints of this project, a careful effort was made to include interviews with key parties at each stage of the decision-making process - from officials at the federal level to local citizens.
Back to top or back to home page or back to Back to Chapter Index
Federal Agencies
Forrest Brooks, Project Manager for the Chehalis River, U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers
Mike Parton, biologist, Habitat Conservation Program, U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service
Steve Fransen, salmon biologist, U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service
State Agencies
Brian Walsh, Department of Ecology, representative to the Chehalis River Partnership
Lois Lopez, Washington State Emergency Management Division staff and Lew is County native and resident who has twice run unsuccessfully for elected office.
Tribal Government
Curtis DuPuis, tribal elder, Confederated Tribe of Chehalis Indians. Involved with flood-related issues since 1976; former Tribal Council member. His land is directly affected by flooding.
County Government
Richard Graham, chairman, Lewis County Board of Commissioners. Lead contact for county flood control planning; former partner in a local construction and trucking company. Member of Lewis County Economic Development Council and Chehalis Industrial Committee.
Shirley Kook, planner, Lewis County Public Works
Steven Waltz Morrison, flood management planner, Thurston County Planning Office
Bob Witzel, planner, Grays Harbor County
City Government
Bob Spahr, Mayor, City of Centralia; former realtor. Wife's business was directly affected by 1996 flood.
Community Members
Dave Palmer, founder, Chehalis River Council. His land is directly affected by flooding.
Margaret Rader, member, Chehalis River Council. Member of Chehalis River Partnership and Thurston County's citizens' committee on flooding.
Ilona Peterson, member, Lewis County Citizen's Advisory Committee, chair of Chehalis River Sub-Basin branch.
Phil McBride, chairman, Lewis County Citizen's Advisory Committee; Pe Ell General Store owner.
Media
John Henderer, reporter, The Chronicle newspaper in Centralia. Not directly involved in flood policy decision-making. Provided background and historical perspective.
The authors attempted to schedule interviews with the following informants, but were unsuccessful due to cancellation on the part of the informants, failure to return calls or failure to arrive at the scheduled time.
Jerry Alb, Director of Environmental Affairs Office, Washington Department of Transportation. Responsible for mitigation; chairman of the Technical Committee
Mike McGinnis, biologist, Chehalis Indian Tribe
Back to top or back to home page or back to Back to Chapter Index
Questions were tailored to the informant based on his or her role in the community and in flood plain and land use decisions. The following questions provided the basic foundation for all the interviews conducted during the course of this project.
History in Lewis County; Flood Experience
1. What is your history in the county?
2. Tell us the history of flooding in Lewis County and the effects on the economy and development.
3. Tell us about how flooding has affected you? Do you have property or a business that is affected by flooding?
4. How have you/ your agency been involved in flood plain management?
5. What organizations are you involved in? (used to assess ties to growth coalition and flood policy decision-making)
Involvement in Flood Plain and Land Use Management
1. What has been your involvement in flood plain and land use planning?
2. How do you get most of your information about flood issues and flood control proposals?
3. What do you believe are the short- and long-term economic goals for Lewis County?
Perception of Flood Plain and Land Use Policy Decision-making
1. What are the factors that influence Lewis County flood management decisions?
2. How do you believe decisions on flooding are made? Who's involved?
3. How does the community influence flood decisions? How do others influence flooding decisions? Do you feel your views have been given equal weight?
4. How will the Lewis County flood plan benefit the community?
5. In your opinion, who are the key players in the decision-making process?
6. Who do you think should be involved in the process?
7. What is your understanding of the purpose of various local committees that deal with flooding?
8. How will U.S. Army Corps of Engineers involvement affect the project/outcome?
9. Which plan of action do you think will best reduce the flooding problem? Why?
10. What do you believe the final plan outcome will be?
11. From the current flood control proposals, who do you believe will benefit financially, politically or in other ways?
12. What else do you want to tell us about this issue?
13. Who else should we talk to?
Back to top or back to home page or back to Back to Chapter Index
Lewis County Flood Survey Project
PMB# 189
120 State Ave. NE
Olympia, WA 98501-8212
July 20, 1999
Dear Lewis County resident:
Flooding on the Chehalis River affects many people in Lewis County. As part of a thesis project to meet graduation requirements for the Master of Public Administration degree at The Evergreen State College, we are researching Lewis County
residents' opinions on the flooding issue.
Your household has been randomly selected to participate in this confidential survey, and your name and address will not be disclosed. The results of this survey will be included in a study that examines flood policy decision-making in Lewis County, and will be available in local libraries by October 1999. The survey results will also be provided to the Board of Lewis County Commissioners and Lewis County planning staff.
Your response to this survey is very important, as it will provide valuable information about flooding in your community. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey, place it in the postage paid return envelope and drop it in the mail by August 1.
Thank you very much for taking part in this important project.
Kasia Pierzga & Amy Harris
Students in the Master of Public Administration Program
The Evergreen State College
Back to top or back to home page or back to Back to Chapter Index
1. If you have been affected by flooding in Lewis County, which years were you affected? (Circle all that apply)
a.) 1990
b.) 1996
2. How have you been affected by flooding in Lewis County? (Circle all that apply)
a.) My land was flooded
b.) My home was flooded
c.) My business was flooded
d.) I lost income because of flooding
3. What do you think is the cause of flooding in the Chehalis River Valley? (Circle all that apply)
a.) Weather conditions
b.) Not enough dams and other ways to control the river
c.) Putting fill in areas that flood
4. Are you satisfied with the amount of information you get about plans to reduce flooding in Lewis County?
a.) Yes, I am very satisfied
b.) Somewhat satisfied
5. How do you get information about Lewis County's proposed plans for flood reduction? (Circle all that apply)
a.) My local newspaper
b.) Friends and family
c.) Radio
d.) Government publications
6. How do you voice your opinion on flood reduction plans to Lewis County government? (Circle all that apply)
a.) Letters or phone calls to government officials
b.) Attending public meetings
c.) Letters to the local newspaper
d.) My club or organization represents my opinion
7. How much influence do you think the following people or groups have on Lewis County flood reduction plans?
a.) Lewis County residents
b.) Chehalis/Centralia residents
c.) Citizens' groups
d.) Local politicians
e.) Lewis County government
f.) State or federal government
g.) Individual businesses or business owners
h.) Local business organizations, such as the Lewis County Economic Development Council
j.) Other (please explain):
8. How important are the following goals for a flood reduction plan in Lewis County?
a.) Reducing property damage
b.) Reducing health hazards
c.) Keeping the river environment clean/ safe for fish
d.) Helping maintain our economy
e.) Preserving land for farming, recreation, water quality, forestry, etc.
9. What do you think are the TOP THREE concerns Lewis County should consider when making plans to reduce flooding?
a.) Protecting private property rights
b.) Reducing flood damage
c.) Avoiding tax increases
d.) Preventing flooding from getting worse
e.) Making our community more attractive to new businesses
10. Please use the space below and the back of this page to write any additional comments about flooding and Lewis County government's plans to address the issue.
Thank you for participating in this survey! The results of this study of Lewis County residents' views on flood reduction will be available in the Lewis County library by October 1999.
Back to Chapter Index
Back to CRC Index Page
Back to Flood Index Page
Back to Watershed Index Page
Back to Lewis County Issues Index Page
Back to Grays Harbor County Issues Index Page
Back to Thurston County Issues Index Page
This page created and maintained by Chehalis River Council
Send comments or questions to the: Chehalis River Council