Oct. 15, 1999

Kathleen Kunz
NEPA Coordinator USACE
ATTN: CENWA-PM-PL-ER
P.O. Box 3755 Seattle, Wa.
98124-2255

Re: Centralia-Chehalis Flood Damage Reduction Project Study.

Dear Ms. Kunz;

I was in attendance at the scoping meeting held at WF West High School in Chehalis, Wa. Many people testified on their flood losses due to increased flooding in this area, many of whom had never been flooded before, now have seen first-hand how the flood-waters have been displaced and moved by filling which has taken place within the flood plains of our area.

It would have been refreshing to have heard some common sense used in the culmination of this plan, I ve always been taught, do what you can first. Of course this would be to stop filling in the flood plains and making the problem worse. Nothing has ever been mentioned about this idea, rather, we will spend $80,000,000 to dig out 3.5 million cubic feet of existing flood plain, and continue to fill the rest of the flood plain. In the past 10 years, the Cities of Centralia, Chehalis, and Lewis County have permitted or allowed about that same amount ( 3.5 million cubic yards) of fill to be placed into our floodplains and frequently flooded area. This does not make good sense.

Even today, the county is ready to give a permit to stockpile 2,000 cu/yds of fill material in a frequently flooded area.

The County, Cities, Corp., and other agencies dismiss filling as it does not affect flooding, if filling doesn t hurt, why excavate 3.5 million cubic yds. from the flood plain? If filling doesn t hurt, why will the fill to raise I-5 hurt? If filling does hurt, why are we not stopping it first? Or does government want all the fill possible in place, then go for the project to reduce flooding to help the local economy? Concerns of the plan only address the Cities of Centralia and Chehalis, with no regard for the safety of citizens living up or down stream from the project, with the potential of greater harm to those citizens.

Is the Corp not bound by Floodplain Management, Executive Order 11988 of 1977 ?

Summary:

Directs all Federal agencies to avoid, if possible, development and other activities in the100-year base floodplain. Where the base floodplain cannot be avoided, special considerations and studies for new facilities and structures are needed.

Design and siting are to be based on scientific, engineering, and architectural studies; consideration of human life, natural processes, and cultural resources; and the planned lifespan of the project. Federal agencies are required to:

Reduce the risk of flood loss Minimize the impact of floods on human safety, health, and welfare Restore and preserve the natural and beneficial values served by floodplains in carrying out agency responsibility

Implementing guidelines: 40 CFR 6030

The proposed plan looks to me to be an economical recovery plan for Lewis County, and not a basin wide approach to reduce flooding.

Sincerely,

Dan Smith
Chehalis, Wa.

cc. CRC
FEMA
SWAT
GOV/ALL

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