Oct. 12, 1999

Kathleen Kunz Coordinator
USACE CENWA-PM-PL-ER
Post Office
Box 3755
Seattle, Wa. 98124

Ms. Kunz,

Having been present at the Corp s meeting at W.F. West School last month, I came away with some real concerns with the proposed Flood Reduction Project Study. I have been a resident of Lewis County, and lived most of my life along the Newaukum River. I have witnessed many flood events both along the Newaukum and along the Chehalis near the Twin Cities. I have also witnessed the filling going on in the flood plains of both rivers. The continued filling of flood plains and frequently flooded areas has very much contributed to the increased flooding in the area. Homes and business never before flooded, are being inundated with flood waters during minor flood events. Filling has caused flood waters to be redirected into new areas. The Floodways and Flood Plains of our rivers and streams must be keep open for these flood flows.

NOTHING in the proposed project plan even addresses stopping the constant filling of the flood plains. WHY? Continuing to fill the flood plains while working on a muti (80) million dollar plan which includes excavating the flood plain is absolutely absurd.

The dam and levee proposals have been tried and failed in other areas of the county. Diking and Damming are only false security against flooding.

When they fail or break, the devastation is much worse as we have seen though out the mid-west in recent years. The Corp should have learned a lesson by now, after 100 years on the Mississippi River, you cannot control and confine Mother Nature. Why make the same mistakes again and again, with citizens life, health and safety at risk? Executive Order # 11988, should give the Corp. some guidance to protect the flood plains of our rivers and streams.

Here in Lewis County, the county is well aware that the FEMA Maps of the 1980 s are outdated and inaccurate, however, they continue to use them as if they were the gospel. Best available information should be used when peoples lives and property are at risk.

Our neighbors, up and down stream from the project area, will carry the brunt for any help the people in the Twin Cities get. This must be a Basin Wide Approach to Flood Reduction.

We taxpayers have already spent millions on this project to PIE, who will be double checking the results of their model and other predictions? PIE had stated earlier, the floodway at Mellen St. could be enlarged to help the flood waters go downstream faster. What does this do to the citizens down stream? All this time, the FEMA maps say the floodways will handle the flood volumes so filling can continue up to the floodway. If so why would we continue to fill the floodplains, and then excavate the floodway? This project has some possibilities, but first we need to stop filling in the flood plains, and assess the effects on up and down stream citizen and communities.

Written Response Requested!

Sincerely,

Tammy Baker
575 Newaukum Vly. Rd.
Chehalis, Wa. 98532

cc. Gorton Murray Baird CRC SWAT Agencies

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