The Chronicle, 12/14/99
To the editor:
Let me get this straight: Tri-Mountain Resources is building a dike and fill on the Newaukum River near Exit 72.
The fill can raise floodwaters on the upstream side by 7 inches. The Washington State Department of Transportation says that may be enough for floodwaters to run over and shut down Interstate 5. And it can damage downstream properties through faster-shooting water action on the riverbanks, not to mention fish and other habitat loss.
Lewis County said the proposed fill and dike posed no significant impact to the environment and issued a permit.
It's time for some effective controls to stop threats to life and property coming from fills and dikes in floodplains. The county seems to have ignored the reason for the State Environmental Policy Act. I haven't seen any other controls on the horizon. Action needs to take place now.
DOROTHY SMITH,
Chehalis
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