John Henderer, The Chronicle, 5/26/1999
A new consultant could guide the second part of Lewis County's flood-control study for the Chehalis River Basin.
Commissioners authorized a new request for qualifications Monday, seeking sealed statements within just more than three weeks.
The county has spent $1.1 million hiring Pacific International Engineering, Edmonds, to prepare a flood-control solution showing promise of alleviating flooding in the Twin Cities.
During its special session this month, the Legislature authorized another $1.1 million in funding through the state Department of Transportation budget.
"This just gives others an opportunity to at least apply," Commission Chairman Richard Graham, project manager, said Tuesday. "It's a completely different project."
Responses to the request are due by June 18.
A committee made up of employees from jurisdictions in the study will review responses to the request.
Lewis County Engineer Pete Ringen, Thurston County Engineer Dale Rancour, Grays Harbor County Public Services Director Mike Daniels, and Centralia Community Development Manager Terry Calkins will conduct the review and score applications.
Lewis County commissioners, acting as the lead agency, will decide which firm to hire.
Graham said the decision to request qualifications from engineering firms came from PIE.
"This (next phase) is a substantial change from PIE's been involved in the past," Graham said.
The work ahead includes the following:
Coordinating project developments and activities.
Developing and evaluating alternative solutions to reduce flooding.
Coordinating technical aspects such as surveying, geotechnical and flood hydraulic modeling with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Performing a flood analysis to update flood maps used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
PIE Manager Harry Hosey said he plans to "compete with vigor" for the job, and to continue working for the county.
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