REOPEN DITCH: The Hickman Ditch will route water to Salmon Creek for $100,000.
By Jennifer Olson, The Olympian, 8/24/99
THURSTON COUNTY: County commissioners hope a series of measures passed Monday will aid flood-weary residents south of Tumwater.
Commissioners voted to reestablish the so-called Hickman Ditch, west of Interstate 5. The plan, designed to provide temporary, emergency surface and groundwater drainage, will route water to Salmon Creek. Its price tag is about $ 100,000.
After fighting back floodwaters for two of the past three years, some residents were happy to see the plan for the Hickman area. Weather forecasters have predicted another wetter-than-average winter in South Sound.
"I pray that it will work," said Mary Ann Veria, who lives 150 yards away from the overgrown ditch.
Commissioners also approved an extension of the stormwater utility rate boundary, which will include both sides of the interstate around 93rd Avenue Southwest. The utility provides a number of services to ratepayers, including aid to those suffering from groundwater flooding.
County staff help With engineering and construction services, technical assistance, planning, emergency assistance and advice. Most of the area was not in the utility before Monday.
Rates in the utility vary, but average about $20 per year for a single family residence, plus an additional $18 for a residence in the urban growth area to pay for projects to reduce localized flooding, protect habitat and improve water quality in the utility area. Ratepayers outside the urban growth area spend an additional $3.
Commissioners also approved an application to the National Flood Insurance Program that would help homeowners receive deductions on flood insurance based on the county's flood management programs. Homeowners could receive close to a 15 percent reduction in flood insurance.
The series of flood-related items comes on the heels of a temporary building moratorium, which commissioners approved two weeks ago. The moratorium restricts new construction and installation and expansion of septic systems for six months in areas plagued by high groundwater. No new building permits will be issued in these areas.
Still, county officials realize they are a long ways from solving flooding problems.
They are hoping that a computer model to analyze water flow will help them eventually determine the fixes needed and whether the fixes are affordable.
"It's the long-term stuff we're trying to get at," said Mark Cook, manager for the county's storm and surface water program.
The county also is working to come up with an emergency response plan for the area east of the interstate, known as the Hopkins Ditch area. Engineers said an emergency drainage project like the Hickman one won't work for the area. A joint plan with the city of Tumwater could also yield some possible rezoning.
"Right now," Cook said, "everything is on the table."
Jennifer Olson covers Thurston County for The Olympian. She can be reached at 754-5427.
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