Shorelands Wetlands Agriculture & Treatment
575 Newaukum Vly Rd.
Chehalis, Wa. 98532
Lewis County
Phone (360-748-6571
Fax (360) 748-0236
Email tammyb@i-link-2.net
March 03, 1999
Col. James Rigsby, Commander
Seattle Dist. USACE
4735 East Marginal Way
Seattle, Wa. 98134-2255
Dear Colonel Rigsby:
Our group is very concerned with issues that have come to light regarding the Chehalis River flood hazard reduction project/plan. We are committed to protection of our environment along with flood reduction in the Chehalis Basin. The ESA, upcoming listings on the Chehalis River by NMFS, and good common sense, must all be taken into consideration while planning this or any flood reduction project.
Several months ago, when Lewis County took steps to cut other governmental agencies out of the loop, by not allowing Lewis County Staff to attend Alternative and Technical committee meetings, and by not allowing these meetings to be held in Lewis County buildings, they showed they were not in good faith with a basin-wide approach, nor interested in environmental concerns, or the best possible solutions to the flooding problems. Mr. Grahams position was for a quick fix for the Twin-Cities, at the expense of all tax-paying citizens, with no regard for up or down-stream effects.
Lewis County does not have a good reputation for planning for the future when it comes to environmental and land use planning. That is why there have been 2 new commissioner elected in the last 2 elections, and seven department heads have been replaced in the last two years. We welcome the Corps involvement, and feel the Corp should take the lead, working with the other local, state and federal agencies, and the public on this very complex and important decision making process.
We see by the Feb. 19, 1999 letter to you from the political side, you are getting pressure to hold a summit meeting. ( It would be interesting to know who wrote that letter?) We would like to be included as representatives of our organization, and general citizen representation.
We are in support of the 8 state and federal agencies, and support their letter dated Feb. 2, 1999, addressed to you and Lewis County Commissioner Graham. Their letter addresses many of our concerns and fears of the project as Lewis County wants it to be handled. There must be a basin wide approach taken or we will simply move the flooding problem to somewhere else.
Filling of the flood plains of our rivers and streams must stop before this project should even be discussed. It doesn t make good sense to continue filling the flood plain, with a plan to excavate the flood plain in the name of flood reduction.
Written Response Requested:
Sincerely,
Dan Smith Tammy Baker
Rep/SWAT Pres. SWAT
cc. file
members families
CPR-Fish
Friends of The Newaukum River
Senator Slade Gorton
Senator Patty Murray
Congressman Brian Baird
Congressman Norm Dicks
Senator Joe Zarelli
Rep. John Pennington
Rep. Tom Meilke
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