By Amy Jennings, Vidette Reporter, The Montesano Vidette , 12/24/98
After four years of trying to solve the erosion problem at the Chehalis River bank near Mary's River Lumber, the Washington State Department of Transportation has stepped up to the plate to help the City of Montesano fund the project.
"Sixty days ago, DOT informed the City of Montesano that they were concerned about the fate of their highway," noted Montesano Community Development Director Mike Wincewicz.
Wincewicz has been attempting to convince the DOT of the problem for several years, but now, when the river is only about 140 feet from highway 107 (and has moved over 600 feet within the last ten years), the DOT is finally taking notice.
Montesano Mayor Doug George made the erosion problem one of his primary election platforms, promising to do everything in his power to save Mary's River from continued flooding, and thus save the company's associated 120 local jobs.
The City of Montesano has spent around $180,000 ($93,000 of which came through grant funding from the Department of Ecology) to provide design and engineering for the project. The City now has a completed plan, they just need funding for construction.
The Department of Transportation has provided funding for two of the six recommended stream barbs, which are constructed underwater. They are, essentially, 60 foot-long rock protrusions that help to dissipate the river's energy and redirect water across the stream, rather than right into the bank.
These two barbs are smaller than the one's originally recommended, but they will, at least, provide some security through this winter, says Wincewicz.
"It's a temporary solution, there's no doubt about that," Wincewicz noted. "But it's important to the city, and the mayor's project, that the state has finally recognized the potential impact of the river on the state's highway."
The state is planning on replacing two bridges in the area, according to Wincewicz, and the creation of the barbs will help to protect that project as well.
"It doesn't make any sense to replace bridges if the highway is in danger of being washed away," he said.
The state is paying $22.50 per ton to have Northwest Rock construct the barbs. Wincewicz says the project, which was completed earlier this week, should require about 2,000 tons of rock. The state is also paying the City of Montesano to administer the contract for the project which will help the city recoup some of the cost of the design work.
This page created and maintained by Chehalis River Council
Send comments or questions to the: Chehalis River Council