By The Chronicle, 6/29/2001
It appears flood problems in Lewis County might find relief as an energy and water appropriations bill, which includes $1.25 million of spending in Lewis County, was approved on Thursday by the House of Representatives with a 405 to 15 vote.
Congressman Brian Baird, D-Wash., helped secure the $1.25 million commitment. The bill includes critical projects for Southwest Washington to aid in the control of incessant flooding in the area. The bill will now move into the Senate, where it is expected to pass, according to Baird spokeswoman Anne Linskey.
''Yesterday's vote was a fairly significant hurdle,'' Linskey said.
The bill includes seven projects that Baird requested, including $1 million for the Centralia Flood Control Project and $250,000 to conduct the Chehalis River Basin Flood Study.
According to Baird, the two projects are important for finding solutions to the chronic flooding problems throughout the Chehalis River Basin. Interstate 5 often floods near the towns of Centralia and Chehalis, causing the highway to be closed.
It is estimated that such closures result in economic losses to the region of over $50 million per day.
''One of my top priorities is to bring the local needs of Southwest Washington back to Washington, DC,'' said Baird. ''Securing the funding necessary to move forward on the Centralia Flood control Project and to find ways to prevent flood damage within the Chehalis River Basin are two important examples of that effort.''
Baird secured $500,000 for the Centralia Flood Control Project in last year's appropriations bill and $150,000 for the Chehalis River Basin Flood Study.
''Our ability to develop meaningful long-term strategies to deal with the flooding from the Chehalis, Newaukum, and Skookumchuck rivers is of critical importance to this part of Southwest Washington,'' Baird said. ''Flooding can be disastrous to a community and, although we can never control Mother Nature, we can work to improve areas that are flood prone. This is important to our families, our businesses, and public safety.''
This page created and maintained by Chehalis River Council
Send comments or questions to the: Chehalis River Council