HAZARD: County residents are asked to tell officials what they would like to see addressed in the plan.
By John Dodge, The Olympian
THURSTON COUNTY Flood-prone Thurston County is the focus of a plan that could reduce flood insurance costs for thousands of homeowners by reducing flood risks.
About 7,000 people in the county live in the path of Potential floods brought on most often by severe rain storms.
There have been 11 federally declared flood disasters in this county since 1972.
If the emerging flood hazard management plan is accepted
by federal officials, it could reduce flood insurance rates by up to 45 percent, making it affordable to more homeowners, said Steve Morrison, a Thurston Regional Planning Council planner.
At public meetings this week ( Nov. 5 - Swede Hall 6:30 to 8:30) and Nov. 19 (Lacey Coommunity Center), county residents will be asked to tell officials what they would like to see addressed in the plan.
A work group consisting of river valley residents and county officials have crafted a draft plan with 28 proposals to
improve flood preparedness, reduce flood damage in floodprone areas and educate the public.
Key recommendations that could end up in the plan include:
More extensive mapping of the 41.7 square miles of river valleys most likely to flood.
Placement of flood elevation poles near rivers to show previous high water marks from past floods.
Revision of county shoreline regulations so projects are required to use plants and trees to stabilize stream banks, rather than rock.
Restrictions on development in areas of the county plagued by groundwater flooding.
Determination of which homes should have their foundations elevated if state or federal grant money is available for flood-proofing.
The town of Bucoda already has received federal disaster funds to elevate homes in its downtown area, Morrison said.
Drafting a policy to determine which homes are eligible for federal buyout programs when relief money is available.
The county is expecting federal money to buy 25 homes destroyed or damaged by flooding on the Nisqually River in February 1996, Morrison said.
John Dodge covers the environment for The Olympian. He can be reached at 754-5444.