By Amy Jennings, Vidette Reporter, Jan 22 1998
It's just two weeks into the new budget year, and the County Department of Public Services is already requesting an emergency budget extension in the amount of $54,752.
Grays Harbor has decided to join with Lewis County in an attempt to reduce and/or control flood damage in the Chehalis River Basin. This cooperative effort requires that Grays Harbor help foot the bill for a study currently being conducted by an engineering firm working for Lewis County.
Pacific International Engineering is currently under contract with Lewis County for flood damage reduction research and project development work for the Chehalis River Basin.
The Interlocal agreement be tween the counties states that Grays Harbor County is a "part of the basin and has mutual interest in achieving comprehensive basin wide flood damage reduction."
Although the work is already underway, Grays Harbor's participation in the project will re quire that the engineering firm expand the scope of work they were originally contracted to do for Lewis County.
Pacific International Engineering will be doing flood hydraulic analysis, and a survey of river cross sections, for five erosion sites along the Chehalis River from the mouth of the Satsop River to Oakville.
The first study site will include the left bank at the South Bank Road bridge near Oakville. Left bank erosion will also be studied at, and downstream of the Porter Creek Road bridge. Left bank erosion will be studied near Malone, and bridge pier erosion will be evaluated at two bridge sites in South Elma. The final analysis will be done on the right bank, downstream of the Keys Road bridge at the mouth of the Satsop River.
The engineering consultant will provide information for both counties with regard to flood damage reduction research and possible project development that may help to control erosion problems along the Chehalis River bank.
A public hearing, to review the emergency budget request, has been set for Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room.