Thurston County Environmental and Water News and Resolutions

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Thurston County Environmental and Water Resolutions

The following news items and resolutions deal with environmental and water related resources within Thurston County and the Chehalis watershed system.

• Jul. 03, 2005 In this The Chronicle report we learn once again how flood plain management decisions are made. It seems that years of effort are taking a new turn as Lewis County and the City of Chehalis deal with new big box development in areas surrounded by random and unpredicatable flood waters.
• May. 31, 2004 It comes as no surprise that a plan, that obligates no one to take action, but lists general goals, was approved by the Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) on Friday, according to The Chronicle.
• May. 31, 2004 The Chronicle reports: Citizens win a change in permitting process concerning rock quarry in Thurston County.
• May. 07, 2004 The Chronicle reports that a Thurston County determination of nonsignifigance has been loudly challenged and an appeal extension has been granted.
• May. 03, 2004 The Chronicle reports that C.S. Sodhi, former director of natural resources and vice-chair of Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) pleads guilty to theft/kickback.
• Apr. 07, 2004 The Chronicle reports: "Guess what?" Your new neighbor is a gravel pit and asphalt recycler! . Some folks in Maytown are unhappy.
• Mar. 24, 2004 The Chronicle reports that the Chehalis River plan hits a milestone.
• Mar. 15, 2004 Continuing their fine reporting on toxic sites, The Olympian has indepth story on toxic site waiting years for cleanup and an expensive old city dump site.
• Mar. 14, 2004 The The Olympian carries a major front page story on the Thurston County hazardous waste sites. The newspaper is to be congratulated for such intense coverage of an old and ongoing issue.
• Feb. 13, 2004 The Chronicle reports thatCentralia and Chehalis city councilors and county Commissioner Richard Graham plan to fly to Washington, D.C., next month to push for federal funding and approval of an $80 million to $100 million project to improve the Skookumchuck Dam, and to surround the Twin Cities with protective levees.
• Dec. 17, 2003 The Olympian reports propsosed Black River asphalt plant seeking major water rights.
• Aug. 10, 2003 August 5 The Olympian reported good news for the Black River when the county rejected asphalt plant.
• Jun. 03, 2003 The Olympian reports that an asphalt plant deep in the Black River watershed will become a fact of life. A treasured water and community resource somehow seems less valuable than sticky goo.
• May. 12, 2003 A Scatter Creek Watershed Council is being formed, and residents are urged to attend a meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the multipurpose room at Tenino Elementary School. A wildlife biologist will speak about species in the watershed and answer questions. For more information, call Chanele Holbrook at 360-264-4310.
• Apr. 01, 2003 23 times in 2002 we carried information on the Chehalis Tribe and Lucky Eagle Casino plans to raise Anderson Road. Today The Olympian reports on what is now called a facelift to keep the road above water. This road project is funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Thurston and Grays Harbor counties are not participating in this project.
• Oct. 13, 2002 The Chronicle reports that Independence Road and surrounding areas are severely impacted by flooding issues, the Army Corps of Engineers was brought in to analyze the situation, they came up with a proposal to armor 1,000 feet of the river, but the cost would be over $1 million.
• Aug. 10, 2002 The Olympian reports on some of the issues surrounding pipeline under the Black River as the pipeline attempts to provide natural gas to Satsop.
• Aug. 01, 2002 Oakville, Rochester, rural Thurston and Grays Harbor residents are mounting a legal movement to stop the Chehalis Indian Nation and the Lucky Eagle Casino plans to raise Anderson Road.
• Jul. 30, 2002 In an undated memo, Thurston County has cancelled, until further notice, the August 5th Chehalis Tribe Anderson Road hearing.
• Jul. 25, 2002 Once again Thurston County has scheduled a meeting concerning the Tribal plans to raise a floodplain road - apparently outside of the scope of the Corps of Engineers flood plan.
• Jul. 07, 2002 Regardless of how Thurston County spells it, the Anderson Road raising and widening revised mitigated determination of nonsignificance certainly invites the attention and review of nei ghboring taxpayers.
• Jun. 27, 2002 Once again the Chehalis Tribe Anderson Road floodplain modification hearing is up in the air - check with Thurston County for more information.
• Jun. 27, 2002 The Olympian reports that Black River asphalt plant sent back to hearings examiner.
• Jun. 25, 2002 The Olympian reports the pipeline company working on the underground gas lines for Satsop Park faces some challenges beyond safety and financial.
• Jun. 25, 2002 Thurston County is handling a Hearing dealing with the Shoreline Substantial Dev. Permit by the Chehalis Tribe to widen anderson Road and excavate 16,300 cy of gravel for fill and to add floodwater water storage.
• Jun. 24, 2002 Hopefully the Black River Refuge area is not the place to build an asphalt plant (this article from the The Olympian
• Jun. 02, 2002 Once again the tribal modifications to Anderson Road have gone to the two major counties involved. Thurston County has issued a mitigated (air quality, erosion and storm water drainages (during project time only), wetland mitigation and debris disposal) determination of non-significance (MDNS) for the major modification of a road in the floodplain.
• Jun. 02, 2002 Thurston County has issued one MDNS on this Anderson Road project. Now Grays Harbor County sends notice of application and public hearing for a shorelines substantial development with conditional use and flood development permit. Are you confused? We are.
• Apr. 26, 2002 The Olympian reports on natural gas pipeline which will extend from Yelm to Satsop to support gas fired generators. Apirl 26 story and/or April 25th story.
• Apr. 23, 2002 Local residents oppose tribal plans to alter and raise Anderson Road.
• Apr. 10, 2002 The Olympian reports on Thurston County approval of asphalt plant near Black River Refuge area.
• Apr. 10, 2002 Once again history repeats itself, as Thurstopn County is now involved in the effort to raise Anderson Road - it was only Mar. 01, 2002 when Grays Harbor County us once again told us the Chehalis Tribe is planning to alter Anderson Road and install box culverts . In 1997 Thurston County was the lead agency on raising Anderson Road and that attempt appeared to fail.
• Mar. 08, 2002The Olympian reports:A federal energy agency (FERC) ruled this week that a 49-mile natural gas pipeline from Rainier to Satsop could be built without significant environmental harm.
• Nov. 15, 2001 The Olympian reports that a battle is building over an ashpalt plant in the Black River watershed.
• Oct. 23, 2001 Dairyland or development land? That is a major question for residents bordering this land in the northern reach of the Black River watershed.
• Oct. 23, 2001 An infamous part of the Black River watershed has now received protection.
• Feb. 02, 2001 The Olympian reports that Thurston County has joined in the appeal against the Shorelines Management Act
• Nov. 01, 2000 Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) initiated a more detailed analysis of hydrology, water rights and water use in five Chehalis subbasins. This draft report is available online. If you are interested in instream flow, or fish recovery or other watershed analysis subjects, this report is a must read.
• Oct. 30, 2000 In response to an inquiry from the Chehalis River Council to the Corps of Engineers, we have been added to a distribtuion list for materials related to the Ecosystem Restoration and Mitigation Working Group. This Corps of Engineers provided material is presented for your information as it relates to the ongoing developments surrounding flooding in the Centralia, Chehalis and greater Chehalis watershed. This material is a 'work in progress'.
• Oct. 22, 2000 Only in Washington State could such utter mass confusion between agencies, local county government and residents take place. No wonder folks are confused, angry and bitter over government decision making ability.
• Oct. 17, 2000 WaDOE has a number of Thurston County wastewater permits up for renewal and is seeking public invovlement.
• Oct. 12, 2000 Appendix VI Survey Results has been added to the Flood Policy in Lewis County report. Among the topics in this appendix are:
  1. Flooding is a Critical Issue
  2. Government Communication on Flood Policy Needs Improvement
  3. Public Disenfranchisement from Flood Policy Development
  4. Lewis County Flood Policy Fails to Reflect Public Values
  5. Policy Considerations Reflect Dichotomy in Public Values
• Oct. 11, 2000 The flood decision making thesis has been updated with these additions:
  • Oct. 23, 2000 Water Conservancy board power is challenged by Superior Court opinion.
  • Chapter IX: Ensuring Meaningful Public Participation in Government Policy Decision-making
  • Bibliography
  • Appendix I: The Interviews
  • Appendix II: Chehalis River Flood History
  • Appendix III: Supporting Materials
  • Appendix IV: Assessing Growth Coalition Indicators in Lewis County Flood Policy Decision-making
  • Appendix V: Organizations Involved in Flood Plain Management in Lewis County
• Oct. 11, 2000 Two more chapters:
  Chapter VII: Growth Coalition Control of Local Policy Decision-making: Implications
  and Chapter VIII: Recommendations from the report Flood Policy on the Chehalis River in Lewis County, Washington: Who Makes the Decisions? are now available online.
• Oct. 10, 2000 "The Politics of Flood Plain Management on the Chehalis River " and "Growth Management Planning" are the topics of two new chapters r ecently added to the "Flood Policy on the Chehalis River in Lewis County" document.
• Oct. 09, 2000 Chapters 1 through 4 have been converted and are available so you can examine:"Who controls decisions on public policy choices related to flood control in Lewis County, Washington? Two reasearchers, Katarzyna Pierzga and Amy Manchester Harris, examine the influence of "pro-growth" advocates on local government policy decisions."
• Oct. 06, 2000 We just learned about the Thurston County Water Resources Home Page. This new tool merges water quantity, quality and habitat resources into a centralizd database for Thurston County.
• Aug. 22, 2000 An ongoing flood-control study for the Chehalis River Basin will receive another $1 million of state money after Lewis County commissioners approved the pass-through expenditure Monday, according to The Chronicle.
• Aug. 17, 2000 The Olympian reports that the Chehalis Tribe has $2.5 million for two bridge project on Anderson road and is interested in other flood issues related to bridges and roads.
• Aug. 04, 2000 Pacific International Engineering (PIE) opening new office in Olympia. Former Grays Harbor Public Services Director Mike Daniels is joining PIE, according to this The Aberdeen Daily World article.
• Aug. 04, 2000 The Chehalis Basin Partnership SRFB process can continue according to this article in The Chronicle.
• Jul. 29, 2000 Over a month late, but here, finally, are the agenda and minutes delivered at the June 23rd CBP meeting.
• Jul. 26, 2000 Interested in the makeup and representation of the Chehalis Basin Partnership? Here is a list of CBP membership.
• Jul. 26, 2000 In February of 1999 the Chehalis Basin Partnership adopted these interim-bylaws.
• Mar. 20, 2000 WaDOE has released a 'draft' study of fecal coliform in Grays Harbor - here is the single section on conclusions.
• Mar. 17, 2000 The Chronicle reports that Tenino is seeking to establish a city sewer system.
• Mar. 14, 2000 Friends of Puget Prairies is looking for participants and events to coincide with the 5th annual Prairie Appreciation Day, May 20,2000
• Feb. 21, 2000 The Olympian reported that Black River wildlife acquisitions are stalled.
• Jan. 27, 2000 It's part of the Chehalis watershed, but Thurston County views planned port development of Salmon Creek flood area differently than Lewis County views port development along the Chehalis floodplain.
• Dec. 31, 1999 As we enter 2000 the Chesapeake Bay Program has made available a draft watershed partnership agreement. It "contains commitments that are far reaching and that address issues of the waters and living resources of the Bay and its rivers, and the land and air that surround them. It is intended to take us well into the next decade and beyond." A viable new year resoution for us in the Chehalis Watershed would include a similar citizen, scientist and policy maker based agreement for us to work from.
• Dec. 11, 1999 WaDOT takes an interest in 11,000 cubic yard fill in Lewis County.
• Dec. 07, 1999 Would you get concerned if 80% of the Capitol State Forest vanished each year? We lose that much forest, cropland and open space and every year. Forests, farmlands or open space? Your choice.
• Dec. 02, 1999 Are you interested in education, or students, or the environment? Do you foster and support better stewardship of the Chehalis River Basin through environmental education that will ensure sustainable watershed health, functions and economic uses? Then you should attend this meeting of the CBEC on December 7th!
• Nov. 27, 1999 The Chehalis Basin Partnership has meeting on December 3rd. This is largely a "business" meeting to focus on continuing activities and issues related to how the Partnership will continue to function.
• Nov. 23, 1999 U.S. EPA announced signing of cleanup plans for the Palermo Wellfield Superfund Site.
• Nov. 23, 1999 According to The Olympian, Thurston County is seeking nominations for Thurston Water Conservancy Board. Nominations must be in by the end of November!
• Oct. 25, 1999 For those intersted in Federal EIS documents there is a new one for activities in Thurston and Grays Harbor.
• Oct. 09, 1999 If you are interested in the condition of our state, Washington DNR has an excellent online version of Our Changing Nature (Natural Resource Trends in Washington State) It is worth reviewing.
• Sep. 18, 1999 Here are three reports dealing with local water systems ( Crowder Road, Loma Vista, Valley Meadows, Prairie Villa system, and Lathrop Industrial Park) which managed to make the news today.
• Sep. 10, 1999 On September 1 the Thurston County Hearing Examiner granted an appeal of an earlier SEPA Mitigated Determination of Non Signfigance (MDNS) which dealt with a manure lagoon in the 100 year flood plain. The decision might be of interesest to residents of floodplains in the Chehalis watershed.
• Sep. 06, 1999 WaDOE released information concerning the wastewater discharge permits to be renewed in 1999-2000. Local wastewater dischargers affected include LOTT, Millersylvania, Yelm, Domsea (Rochester), Equilon LLC and Northwest Sea Farms.
• Sep. 03, 1999 Crowder Road and Loma Vista water systems between Tenino and Bucoda face contaminated well troubles.
• Aug. 25, 1999 Here's a copy of the Chehalis Basin Partnership meeting agenda for August 27 and the minutes from the July 23rd meeting, along with a report from the Citizens Advisory Committee.
• Aug. 25, 1999 The Chehalis Basin Partnership is seeking existing information on the Chehalis Basin.
• Aug. 24, 1999 According to The Olympian, Thurston County is considering a Water Conservancy Board and a public comment period is open now.
• Aug. 24, 1999 According to The Olympian, Thurston County OKs routing Hickman Creek water to Salmon Creek.
• Aug. 16, 1999 WaDOE issued a press release of fines issued in for the 2nd quarter of 1999. Here is an abbreviated listing of fines issued in Chehalis watershed counties.
• Aug. 12, 1999 The City of Ocean Shores Interdisciplinary Team on Coastal Erosion Management has published this recommendation to the Ocean Shores City Council. It is of general interest to all Washington residents.
• Aug. 12, 1999 In a surprisingly pleasant move, Thurston County approves a six-month building moratorium in floodprone areas!
• June 01, 1999 Thurston County Commissioners plan a June 7 hearing on county flood hazard management plan.
• May. 17, 1999 Interested in your stream's water quality? Here's a chance to learn how to monitor your own water quality!
• Apr. 30, 1999 Thurston County Development Services has issued a Fact Sheet on Thurston County development Regulation Amendments.
• Apr. 30, 1999 Thurston County has released a notice of a public hearing, May 19, concerning the Critical Areas Ordinance.
• Apr. 28, 1999 Want to help salmon on Scatter Creek? Thurston Conservation District has a program: Scatter Creek and Habitat for Salmon.
• Apr. 03, 1999 In "Toward 2000" The Chronicle analyzes the issue of flooding in Centralia-Chehalis.
• Dec. 19, 1998 An editorial from The Chronicle endorses PIE flood control plan.
• Dec. 17, 1998 The Chronicle reports local residents voice support for PIE flood plan for Lewis County area.
• Dec. 15, 1998 The Chronicle announces meeting on 12/16/98 which will preview PIE's plan for Centralia- Chehalis flood control.
• Dec. 14, 1998 After years of effort, and while protecting the aquifer, the Grand Mound treatment plant is finally a reality.
• Dec. 10, 1998 The Chronicle reports on flood panel's advice: Put teeth into rules on filling.
• Dec. 05, 1998 The Chronicle reports engineers are ready for public meeting on Chehalis flood plan December 16.
• Nov. 24, 1998 The Chronicle reports Lewis County Commissioners okay floodplain fill if the fill is beneficial!
• Nov. 21, 1998 Brady Engvall - a real champion - has been named as Washington Environmental Hero!
• Nov. 21, 1998 The Technical and the Citizen flood groups have each planned different meetings on Chehalis River flood issues.
• Nov. 11, 1998 The The Chronicle reports that some practical and reasonsable included in the Lewis County Flood Control Committee recommendations meet resistance from Lewis County Planning Commissioners.
• Nov. 03, 1998 Nov. 5 and Nov. 19th Thurston County is presenting a dramatic flood management plan.
• Oct. 29, 1998 Chehalis Basin Partnership still searching for citizen members!
• Oct. 28, 1998 Thurston County staff plans two meetings on flooding issues.
• Oct. 24, 1998 WaDOE issues a Drinking Water Update on Tenino wells (Pacific Powder)
• Oct. 24, 1998 Chehalis Basin Partnership surprised by Chehalis Tribe talking water rights.
• Oct. 16, 1998 Finallly, someone asks, "Why are flood areas filled?"
• Oct. 16, 1998 Lobbying comes up short on federal funds for Chehalis flood control project according to this The Chronicle article.
• Oct. 15, 1998 WaDOE fines a Thurston County dairy for water quality violations in the Black River Watershed.
• Oct. 06, 1998 Bucoda gets flood mitigation assistance!
• Oct. 02, 1998 The The Chronicle reports a hasty trip to D.C. to seek Chehalis flood funding!
• Oct. 02, 1998 Special state audit reveals irregularities in erosion grants
• Oct. 02, 1998 Engineered Geotubes are still an issue for Ocean Shores.
• Oct. 02, 1998 The North Coast News Publisher takes to task the process used to award erosion funds to contractors.
• Oct. 02, 1998 The North Coast News , Sept 30, 1998, published this analysis of contracts between the City of Ocean Shores and Pacific International Engineering /Pharos Corporation Joint Venture Consultants, relative to coastal erosion.
• Sep. 29, 1998 The The Chronicle reports that only costs stand in the way of flood control
• Sep. 08, 1998 The The Chronicle reports on Sept 7 that 'Citizens get chance to work on basin'
• Sep. 06, 1998 South Sound Stewards has some estuary tours planned for you!
• Sep. 02, 1998 Thurston septic fee plan rescinded.
• Aug. 25, 1998 What has been said about living in the floodplain and floodplain development?
• Aug. 22, 1998 The next Chehalis Basin Partnership meeting is coming up. The CBP budget, minutes, agenda and agreement are online, here!
• Aug. 21, 1998 Thurston county finds resistance over septic tank taxes.
• Aug. 07, 1998 Despite original optimism, carcinogens found in Tenino wells.
• Aug. 02, 1998 It comes as a surprise, but Thurston County hasn't yet joined the Chehalis Basin Partnership the decision will be made at board meeting August 3rd.
• Jul. 30, 1998 Tenino area wells to be tested for potential contamination by carcinogen.
• Jul. 12, 1998 Grays Harbor and Lewis County Commissioners went to Wash. D.C. and the report is here. The trip dealt with flooding and beach erosion issues and was reported by Aberdeen Daily World
• Jun. 28, 1998 The CRC takes a position on Chehalis Basin Partnership decision to reject request for watershed representation.
• Jun. 27, 1998 Now that the Chehalis Basin Partnership has some cash, it has to decide exactly how the money will be spent
• Jul. 16, 1998 Cities are overtaking vegetated areas and affecting storm runoff, a study shows in this report from the Olympian and American Forests.
• May '98 Chehalis Dairy Inspection Results Due Soon -
• May '98 Chehalis Flood Plan
• May '98 Pe Ell Resigns from Chehalis Basin Partnership -
• Apr.'98 Watershed Planning in the Chehalis Basin
• Apr. '98 Floodplain use 1996 - 1997 -
• April '98 Chehalis Basin Partnership at crossroads
• Apr. '97 DNR Pesticides Contaminated Water Wells - chlordane and heptachlor -
• April '97 Suspect Wells Test Okay - chlordane and heptachlor -
• Dec. '97 Grays Harbor - Thurston County Letters DOE Chehalis Watershed Basin
• Dec. '97 WA DOE Initiated Watershed Planning -
• Oct. '97 Wastewater Management Partnership
• June '97 Casino Access During Flood Focus of Meeting
• June '97 Casino Road Followup -
• June '97 Casino Roads - Chehalis
• June '97 Lucky Eagle Casino, Roads and Floods -
• June '97 Thurston County, WaDOT, Chehalis Tribe - Moon - Anderson Roads -
• May '97 Grand Mound and Ground Water protection
• May '97 Potentially contaminated wells
• Mar. '97 Watershed Management Comments
• Feb '97 Flooding: Kunzler meeting, 2/26/97
• Feb '97 Spotted Frog Survey
• April '96 Newsletter - flooding decisions
• Dec. '94 Chehalis Flooding December 1994 -
• Mima Mounds Development Appeal -
• Older Flood and Storm News -

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