skamokawa

Save the Skamokawa Post Office

Friends of the Skamokawa Post Office:

Do you have a half hour you can spare to help save our Post Office?

As you may know, the Skamokawa Post Office is one of the over 3,000 U.S. rural Post Offices slated for closure.  The Skamokawa Grange is opposed to this closure.  Our Grange Hall hosted a community meeting with Post Office officials.  Community members there were in unanimous support of keeping our Post Office open.  The advice given at this meeting by Post Office Operations Manager David Boos was a strong recommendation to write letters to our congressional representatives.  Many of us have done so, but so far have received tepid responses.

There has been recent movement at the Congressional level that may delay the closure of rural post offices, but it is clear that without a strong demonstration of community support, we have little chance of keeping our own Skamokawa Post Office open.  Without it, we may lose some of our local businesses that depend on the service our rural post office provides, and the commercial traffic that postal customers deliver to our town’s business center. 

Please join us by adding your voice to your friends and neighbors in Skamokawa.  If you have already written once, (or more than once) please do so again.  The clock is ticking on our 60 day window to make our case.  We have only a few weeks left to state overwhelmingly that we need to keep this service.  Please write to each of our representatives, on the State and Federal level.  Have your letters post-marked here.  (Skamokawa is one of the declining number of post offices that offer this service) If you have access to the Internet, add an email message.  Addresses can be found at the end of this letter.

Here are some talking points:

Our newly elected Congressional Representative Jamie Herrera Beutler has taken a public stance in support of job development by hosting a jobs fair targeted to her constituency in SW Washington.  Most of the employers at the fair were out of driving range for her rural constituency in Wahkiakum County.  The Skamokawa Post Office is a vital economic driver that is already here in our own community.  An attorney and local employer uses our post office for timely delivery of client communications.  Without this service, she has indicated she may have to relocate elsewhere. 

Our general store was recently purchased and remodeled at great expense to include a post office facility customized to suit federal requirements.  The manger of that facility noted in his comments to the community that the foot traffic generated by local visits to the post office provides a large percentage of visits to the general store.   He has made the offer to extend a lease with no annual increases to keep the post office in its current location.

Our post office provides service to members of our community who would be challenged to obtain it elsewhere.  Many of our residents do not have access to the Internet.  Many of our population do not have access to a reliable vehicle.  For those who do, adding an extra 15 miles per day to travel to and from Cathlamet for mail pick up would add prohibitive fuel costs to already stretched budgets.

The study done for our post office indicates the there is no disabled access and that staff do not assist those with special needs. This is an error.   In the recent remodel, disabled access was added.   Our post office staff consistently goes the ‘extra mile’ to assist all clients and to serve their individual needs. 

Lastly, closing the Skamokawa Post Office would be contrary to existing directives:  101(b) of Title 39 (US Code)

 “The Postal Service shall provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities, and small towns where post offices are not self-sustaining.  No small post office shall be closed solely for operating at a deficit, it being the specific intent of the Congress that effective postal services be insured to residents of both urban and rural communities.”

 

Thank you for taking the time to help keep our post office open.  Below are the email links and physical addresses to send your letters to:

US Senator Patty Murray - email contact form

The Marshall House
1323 Officer's Row
Vancouver, WA   98661 

Toll Free: (866) 481-9186  (Washington D.C.)

 

US Senator Maria Cantwell - email contact form

Marshall House
1313 Officers Row
Vancouver, WA  98661

Toll Free: (888)648-7328

 

US Representative Jamie Herrera Beutler - email contact form

750 Anderson Street, Suite B

Vancouver, WA  98661 

(360) 695-6292        

 

State Representative Brian Hatfield - email contact form

PO Box 40419
Olympia, WA 98504-0419

(360) 786-7636

 

State Representative Dean Takko - email contact form

434 Legislative Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7806

 

District Discontinuance Coordinator

Portland PFC

P.O. Box 3609

Portland, OR  97208-3609

 

Gotta Dance?

These early arrivals to the Country Dance at the Skamokawa Grange hall were captured by Chinook Observer photographer Damian Mulinix.  Click here for the full story.

Smoky Water Follies - June 20, 21 and 22

At the Skamokawa Grange Hall...........

Songs and skits circa 1908 will be on the playbill this week at the Smoky Water Follies.
Tickets $10 from the Bank of the Pacific, Skamokawa Center or at the door.

Shows start at 7:30pm Friday and Saturday - 2pm on Sunday.

(photo:  Kay Cochron, Kay Chamberlain, Gwen Gorley)

Washington State Grange weighs in on Northern Star

Opposition to the Northern Star LNG Terminal and Pipeline, Resolution #38-2205

Whereas:

Northern Star Natural Gas is seeking to develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal at Bradwood and a 34-mile sendout pipeline through SW Washington that will adversely impact the land values, customary use and property rights of many local landowners; and

Whereas:

Northern Star's project would use eminent domain against landowners and it's pipeline will damage productivity of the 100'-wide right-of-way for timber, agriculture and wildlife habitat; and

Whereas:

Northern Star's project is an unneccessary supply for Washington State, the gas from this terminal is for California who reject LNG terminals being built in their state; and

Whereas

Northern Star's terminal and pipeline are inconsistent with maintaining adequate public safety and security in the Lower Columbia river area. The 34-mile, high-pressure, non-odorized gas pipeline and the LNG terminal present significant unresolved safety and emergency response infrastructure concerns that Northern Star refuses to resolve in a timely manner; and

Whereas

Northern Star's terminal and pipeline undermine state and local economic interests as landowners, river users, and small businesses, will bear the economic cost of increased security and delays in river traffic creating increased shipping costs for any agricultural or other products being shipped on the Columbia River; and

Whereas

the LNG terminal will exacerbate pollution and damage critical salmon habitat in the Columbia River Estuary, a vital nursery for salmon; and

Whereas

the Washington State Grange Association recognized the need in the Pacific Northwest for clean, safe, affordable energy but finds Northern Star's project to be destructive, unnecessarily risky, and a cause for extra expense to agricultural and other products using Columbia River ports for shipping; therefore be it

Resolved

that Washington State Grange urges the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and all relevant Washington and Oregon agencies to deny site approval and all permits for the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal and pipeline.

Photos: Left: Skamokawa Grange members listen to LNG presentation, Right: George Exum of Wahkiakum Friends of the River.

At a recent forum, George Exum of Wahkiakum Friends of the River, provided some background on the controversy, and some information specific to the Bradwood Landing site. These are some notes from his talk.

LNG has been around awhile. There are currently 5 operating terminals in the US, all in the east.

3 proposals are active in Oregon: Warrenton, Coos Bay, and Bradwood. Why here? California has been successful in preventing terminals in that state. The Warrenton site is on its second developer. The first entity went backrupt.

The major user in the west is California. 2 million cubic feet per day. WA and OR 200,000 cubic feet a day. Current sources for WA and OR are Canada and the Rockies.

The Bradwood developers have stated that gas to the proposed terminals is for use in the NW, however, projected production far exceeds current use in the NW. Most of NW power is hydro-generated. ‘Excess’ gas would have to be sold elsewhere. Bradwood promotional material includes Nevada and California as ‘Northwest’. The 5 existing terminals in the east and gulf are operating well under capacity. Under a 6% increase per year, these existing terminals would suffice for the next 15 years.

Typical contracts are of 20 years duration for contracts for supply. This commodity is regulated by FERC. Prices are not regulated as other public utility prices are. LNG is an expensive product, due to the infrastructure, delivery and liquefying costs. A liquefying facility in the works has racked up 20 million dollars to date. Taxpayers are footing the costs for the companies permitting costs. Proposals that are not built skate on the permitting costs. These costs are all born by the end user, and are not regulated as other public utilities are. The dollars used in these processes would be better used in developing other energy resources, or fostering conservation efforts.

Northern Star does not have the assets to actually build the terminal. It is likely that they would make their money in selling the permit.

Part of these costs are in pipeline building. NW Natural and Transcanada are proposing piplines that can connect to California pipeline delivery through a junction proposed at Madras, Oregon. Over 700 pieces of private property are in the way of proposed pipelines. Eminent domain laws enable these corporate entities to acquire private properties with little recourse to the property owners. The need for this gas in the NW has not been proved.

Proposed pipelines are 36 inches in diameter. The gas will not be odorized until it hits the California border.

The Bradwood area is a critical habitat for rearing juvenile salmon and migrating spring Chinook 7000 cubic yards of material is proposed to be dredged from the area. This is a settling area in the river, a natural eddy where upstream material is naturally deposited. A test at Mile 39 of fatty tissue in fish reveals that this area is a repository for years of dioxin, etc.. from upstream and a previous industry at the Bradwood site.

River usage: A fifty foot exclusion zone will likely apply to LNG tankers. This ships will have to have Coast Guard escorts. Opportunites for other commercial ships to pass will be limited to specific areas and tides. These same tidal opportunities are used by sport and commercial fishers, further diminishing an already stressed fishery, and impacting recreational fishing and tourism.

The dock at Bradwood will further affect access to the river. Dr. Jerry Havens has done studies on the effects of spills and terrorist attacks on ships. Studies show that if there is a leak, 30 million gallons, people within one mile would have second degree burns within seconds if ignited immediately. If not ignited right away, the gas would collect in a vapor cloud, spreading the danger even further, to a three mile zone, bringing Cathlamet and Wahkiakum schools into the affected area.

If Bradwood is built to re-gassify, it will be the biggest source of CO2 in the county, diminishing air quality even more than the mill at Wauna.

The project so far:

The permitting process is well advanced for the proposed projects, both in Oregon and Washington, More hearings are scheduled regarding piplines and dredging. Further information will be updated on the Wahkiakum Friends of the River website.

Now T h a t ' s More Like It.....

The Skamokawa Grange Hall was the setting for the Raffle displays and ticket sales during the Car Show portions of the Dollars for Scholars event.  Just over 200 great cars were on display. with a variety of vintages and customization.  Grange members Frank and Cynda Webb volunteered in the kitchen, serving up coffee to participants, some of whom had driven some long miles in the wee hours.  Some of those old cars are a little lacking in "climate control".           Granger Kay Chamberlain volunteered for raffle table duty,  making sure that the gift baskets donated by local bed and breakfasts (also Grange members) went to good homes.     It was a good day for all, and Skamokawa Grange was proud to participate!                              

Welcome Back Grange Hall!

Soon, very soon, there will once again be.......

Bathrooms in the Grange Hall.

As the time ticks down to the Dollars for Scholars Salmon Derby and Car Show, John Luthi, Frank Webb and Bill Chamberlain have been busy in (and under) the hall, installing DWV and supply lines.

Post flood, regular meetings are once again being held in the hall. Thank you to the Skamokawa Methodist Church for providing meeting space in the interim.

If you're heading north on I-5 the weekend of June 9-10, stop by for a cup of coffee and a cookie or two, courtesy of Skamokawa Grange, at the Toutle River Rest stop, first rest stop north of Longview/Kelso.

We hope to see you all at the Car Show and Salmon Derby, and at the I-5 Rest stop!

Skamokawa Grange meetings are held 2nd and 4th Mondays at 7:30pm. Everyone is welcome and we have great snacks!

Non Partisan Elections?

Grange: Abolish party labels in state voting
But key legislator says the plan is dead on arrival

By DAVID AMMONS
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OLYMPIA -- The state Grange, still hoping to scuttle Washington's unpopular "pick-a-party" primary election system, is promoting a plan to make all of the state's political offices non-partisan, including governor and seats in the Legislature.

A key lawmaker said Thursday that the plan is dead on arrival in the Legislature.

The politically active farm-based organization was the original sponsor of the state's popular "blanket primary," which for decades allowed voters to choose their favorite nominee for each office, without regard to party label.

Federal courts threw out the system, saying it infringed on political parties' rights to pick their own nominees.

The Grange hit back with a successful initiative in 2004 to allow the top two vote-getters for each office to advance to the general election, regardless of party. The courts threw out that, too, and the Grange is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Thursday, the group announced a new tactic: legislation to get around the legal objections to a blanket-style primary by simply leaving party labels off ballots. Voters could again pick their favorite for each office, and parties would be free to recruit, finance and publicize their favored candidates, Grange President Terry Hunt said.

Essentially, this would mean non-partisan elections, such as the state already uses for the judiciary, and which many local governments use for offices such as Seattle mayor, city councils and school boards.

Legislators could still organize by party, and Olympia would run much the same way as always, said Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, the prime sponsor in the Senate.

But Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park, chairwoman of the committee that handles election bills, said the Grange plan will be bottled up.

"I support a 'top two' primary, but there is no way this could pass, so why should I even hold a hearing on it?" she said.

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Skamokawa Grange meets 2nd and 4th Mondays at 7:30pm, currently at Skamokawa Methodist Church.  Everyone is welcome, and we have great snacks!

Comments?  Post here or email:  skamokawagrange@yahoo.com

Notes from Flood Forum II

Photo left: Dan Bigalow: Wahkiakum County Prosecuting Attorney explains methods for forming districts.

Guests present: Dan Bigalow, Wahkiakum  County Prosecuting Attorney, Pete Ringen, Wahkiakum County Public Works Director, Stewart Moonen, local landowner.  9 members from the community.   

Lecturer’s Program:    Regular meeting was given over to Flood Forum II

Kitty Speranza moderated, introduced Dan Bigalow, and opened the forum, introducing the issue of looking at the diking district with a view to expanding. 

Dan:  question I was brought to answer:  how to we expand the distict?  People are thinking that district does not extend enough upstream. 

I can tell you 3 ways to expand:

One: no election.  Figure out where legal boundaries are, township, ranges, etc..

Once borders are figured:  If more than 50% of acreage owners are in favor, can petition County Commissioners.  This avoids a vote. Petition must include purpose, boundaries, ideally also cost. 

If ten landowners get together, they can move for a vote,. 

Perhaps another kind of district would be better for our purposes,

Another kind of district can be established by election.,

Issue:  Only ‘a’ properties in the diking district are taxed, ‘b’ properties are not.

Panel is empowered by commissioners to distribute the costs of an improvement over the members of the district.  Must be approved by county commissioners.

A new improvement district could change the way the costs are distributed.

Cynda Webb and Kay Chamberlain looked at a map of the district, noting existing members of district, and wondered why so many people in the valley are not a part of the district.

Frank:  Should people who benefit pay the whole bill? (rather than entities upstream who contribute to the problems sharing the costs of mitigation)

Dan:  Costs are broken up between the people who receive the benefit.  These laws were passed in 1917. 

Stuart::  If we join the diking district, what kind of master plan, and how many dollars without knowing what bang to get for our buck?

Cynda:  I worked on the Conservation District, for some years.  Some of the runoff issues are being addressed, but tide gates need attention, and if dredging was maintained, all would benefit. 

Pete Ringen:  My impressions are that the most important thing is repairing the dikes.  Size of tide gates are inadequate.,  Storm drains are also an issue, a small one.

Cynda: How may tide gates in district 5?

Pete: Don’t know that number.

Per Kay:  Tim Schmitz has been putting in hundreds of hours the last few weeks.  Seems that FEMA will not help with local tide gate issues.  They refer back to county.  If county cannot help, go back to FEMA

Tracy Snow:  Flood plain ordinance should be read by all. 

Pete:  We can’t pay if there is another Federal agency that is responsible.  In this case, it would be the Corp. of Engineers.  In the past commissioners have thrown up their hands.  We may not get federal assistance, but this issue is not going away.,  We may seek some State assistance.

Kay:  Tim indicated that it would be good to find out the ramifications of expanding the district.

Dan:  Look at districts, maybe a drainage district.  First you need to decide what to do, that starts the process.  At that point people will decide to sign on, or not.  First establish what is wanted, then how to go about getting it.  Once that is figured, then a legal entity can be formed to address the plan. 

Stewart:  Who is responsible for the ditches? 

Cynda: the landowners are responsible, but not responsible for damages from not maintaining them. 

Pete:  State has discouraged some maintenance. 

Comment from the floor: In ’96, some individuals obtained assistance from FEMA, raised their houses, and these houses did not flood this time.

Pete:  What FEMA is saying that if another Federal agency is responsible, that FEMA cannot help.  If no help is obtained, then FEMA can be approached again.

Pete:  The diking district is the front line for this process.  Local emergency management people want to get the help  here.  Emergency management people have looked at the Fairgrounds and seen the damage there.  At the moment, ‘we’ county people and diking district people are still attempting to get Federal agency help.

Cynda:  Corp. says cost/benefit ratio does not allow Corp. to address clogged tributaries all along the river.  Will not address, as per the ferry channel, 

Stewart:  not enough money here to have the clout.

Tracy Snow:  Ordinance says that no new building should be allowed in the flood plain.  This is not happening,.  County is not holding up their end of their ordinance.   Recently revised 2006.   

Tracy strongly recommended that county residents read the ordinance.

Comment:  Where has the money from the diking districts gone?

Cynda:  The money has gone over the years for  minor maintenance.  One tide gate had major work after ’96. 

Kay:  What would real work cost?  Can the districts get it on their own?

Dan:  Districts can ask for money for a project.  Project goes to commissioners.  Commissioners appoint a 3 person panel to address how to asses costs,

Stewart chimed in on funding.  Projects must go to a vote. 

Photo: Stewart Moonen commenting on diking district expansion.

Tracy:  County owns property.  Why not taxed?

Stewart:  County property tax exempt,

Cynda: Grays River went to an Enhancement District to get grant money.  Should we do the same?  Maybe an Enhancement District would allow broader powers to address the ditch problem for instance,  Salmon enhancement as part of flood control. 

Pete:  For people here from the Grange:  Must pursue SBA help first, then be expelled from it, then FEMA can help.  Per Chuck SBA will talk to you when all other sources say no.  Alex Contreras is the name of the SBA agent who attended the last Grange Pomona meeting. 

Kitty:  We should have a meeting with the diking commissioners. 

Pete:  Should go to the big ocean of federal help before approaching the State.  Feds may appropriate more than usual this year for local assistance. 

Frank:  We must keep pushing these agencies for help. 

Tim: via phone conversation with Stewart:    The only things FEMA is considering is repair to dikes.  Will be looking tomorrow morning. 

Pete:  Wed and Thurs, field visits. 

Stewart:  For those who have not been involved with an annexation, this takes months, or years to get information from all the property owners.  Doesn’t know at this point what an expanded diking district would do to help.

Kitty:  Should we look at another meeting with diking district commissioners,.

Kay:  They will meet in late February. We should go to their meeting.    They usually meet at the Fire Hall. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:25p

Respectfully Submitted,

Kathleen Morgain,

Secretary

Photo right:  discussion during flood forum

Flood Forum II: A Taxing Situation

Photo: Post-flood in Sleepy Hollow

Expand the Diking District? Raise taxes? Plan tactics? Skamokawa Grange will hold a second Flood Forum this coming Monday, January 22nd, 7:30pm, again at the Methodist Church. Featured Guests are: Tim Schmitz, Diking District Commissioner, Wahkiakum County Prosecuting Attorney: Dan Bigalow and Diking District Petition Coordinator: Stewart Moonen.
Refreshments will be available, and the building is disabled accessible.

Notes from the Flood Forum

Photo right:  Darin Haupt and Wahkiakum County Commissioners listen to comments from the floor

Photo left:  Comments from audience

Notes from Proceedings:

 

( These are raw notes, typed as quickly as possible while trying to get in the gist of the proceedings. Any and all misquotes, misspellings and omissions are mine alone. )

Guests present: Over 30 community members. Mark Linquist, Dan Cothran and George Trott: Wahkiakum County Commissioners,  Tim Schmitz, Bill Ower; Diking District #5, Darin Haupt, Wahkiakum Conservation District

 

Gordon Calver, Chair: Wahkiakum County Fair and local landowner, Tom Bosch: Diking District and David Boyd of the Hancock group were invited, but did not attend. 

Normal meeting was suspended to present A Skamokawa Flood Forum 

Jessica opened the meeting, introducing the members of the panel. 

Meeting to gather information and explore possible solutions. First: identify problems. 

Our Diking District was most affected by the flood waters 

Wahkiakum Conservation Group has been working on some “best practices”. 

Presentation started with Tim Schmitz. On Board since 1996. At that time, no functioning tide gate in the district. By the end of 1996 one gate replaced, another 4 repaired, and as much maintenance as limited budget allowed. Tim viewed lower tidegate from highway during last flood.

 

History: natural stream bed was closed and water diverted to new channel in the 1940s.

Class A members of district “at risk”, Class B not at risk. Class A are taxed, B: not.

Tim recently hiked the area and found a serious breach near West Valley, took many photos. Believes the breach why so much water flooded. 

245 billion gallons of water due to 20 inches of precip. More water than system could accommodate. 

Lower tide gate is 6 foot.    

Wilson Creek also completely out of its banks. Beyond scope of Skamokawa district. Perhaps a watershed district should be formed. 

Quick Fix: Raise dikes? 

61 East Valley Road comment. “Timed water coming in. 7 feet in 24 minutes.”  (Sleepy Hollow). Have made comments to County. 

Another comment: water coming in from area of Kent Martin’s fills the lower valley before it can run off naturally or through existing gates and culverts. 

Comment from floor: After last flood went to diking district and county. Still want to know why problem has not been addressed. 

Linda Newton (Skamokawa, near Sleepy Hollow.) 3 major issues. Hill water drains to Sleepy Hollow, County Trench through their parking lot, designed to run water out the tide gate. Tide gate is not accommodating the amount of water. Lack of maint contributes to the problem. Water came from east side, county parking lot and up the valley, total four different directions. Was told they were above flood plain when house was lifted. 18 inches of water in the house. Have asked for four years for ditches to be cleaned out (ditches are county property). Does not want to ask for action any more. Feels that legal action must be next if there is no relief. 

Another comment from floor. Have observed non-functioning tide gates. 

Comment from floor. Culverts under county roads no longer sufficient for drainage. 

Comment from floor: Unable to build up near west creek. Told he could not build up: “Why?” 

Bill C. West Valley Creek. Didn’t get the water this time, not as much from West Valley this time. Tim Schmitz: Bridge on this road must be seen to, due to amount of water in most floods. 

Bill C. Large culverts let water run quickly out of fields, where previously water would somewhat slow down while draining through fields. 

Another comment: 6 to 3 feet of mud in the fields near Martins. 

Tim S. District needs to grow. (Wasn’t voted into this office) Many people in district have not been taxed for unknown period. Too little money in taxes. Does not buy two loads of rock. District may have been sufficient in the 1940s. Not now. Nothing now to stop water coming down West Valley. 

Another comment: Grew up in East Valley. Logging has contributed to problem. Creeks are silted up. Concurring comment regarding Dead Slough. Silted up. 

Joel Newton: Feasibility studies have been done on Slough. Permit process takes 2 years. Needs to be addressed before then. County need to fund solution and be paid back through taxes and grants. 

Another comment; (Quinn) Lets pay for the fix amongst ourselves. 

Tim: Used to be more infrastructure, but grants have replaced this public support of public infrastructure. Have to accept the grant/private funding and go with it. Tim can go to County for money but does not want to go outside the scope of ongoing studies for current fix. Middle Valley, Dead Slough has been looked at by Wah, Cons. District. Partnered with CREST. 

Darin Haupt. Background Forestry. Doing feasibility assessments. At this point set up and ran a Power Point presentation. Slides included maps and diagrams of the valley and Dead Slough area. Water quality, displaced fishers, Limiting factors/salmon recovery.  240 acre watershed. 2003 flood mitigation came into play.  Fish/Flood funding. Improve water quality and fish habitat. No intent to impact flooding. “Grossly underestimated area of bathtub.” 

Survey and design work is ongoing. Gathering data to design new structures (previously tide gates). Still looking for access to develop complete cross section imaging.  Dead Slough needs fresh water. Will model stream to determine flushing. Don’t want to throw money at current project if it floods you worse. 

Cross Dike could protect the town. Upgrade structure and dredge. 

Comment from audience: What about the mouth of the creek? Referring to failed dredging project.  “Outside the scope” (port district project) 

(Lower tide gate is 60 inches) Replace with two. Ability to close off. Pumps are not being considered at this time due to costs. (Perhaps for emergency) 

This study is still in the initial stage of assessment.    

Design map for area. Pointed out original confluence of West Valley and Skamokawa creeks.   

We now realize that scope needs to be expanded, more local participation needed. Presently 1.5 million project. Selling for fish recovery. The funding source available. 

Water flow, fish and sediment are currently are being monitored. (Sediment includes components of old DDT, chlorine etc.   

Water quality, Fisheries,  Flood mitigation, Landowner participation, Cost benefit/local match

Operation and maintenance. (Probably from diking district) 

Comment from audience: Dike at Kent Martins: even if it were 10 feet high, we still would have been hammered. 

Comment from audience: Problem here is flood. Need a more aggressive solution to the flood component of this scenario. 

Will apply in spring for project funds. But need to complete date collection, initiate permit review process. Assess alternatives, including community assessment. 

In short, mitigating flood hazards must be a more important component of the overall plan. 

Question: What kind of time line before work can start on Dead Slough etc.?

Some short term risk minimizing work can start perhaps in 2008. 

Question: More direct approach to flood issue needed, 

Comment: Cynda: district is not govt. Diking District is govt. Our only source of money has been from fish, direct flood relief is not possible. Hoping to get flood relief as a side benefit. 

Tim intends to work in conjunction with Conservation Dist. Perhaps tide gate improvement can commence earlier than the scope of the larger project. 

Comments: What about this coming February? Any funding possible? What can be done in the short term? Can people who love fish help our problem? 

Question: Why is funding for diking district so low? (Difficult to ask people for more taxes?) 

Comment: tax money cannot come in to fix before this February. 

Commissioner George Trott: Plan must be made and engineered before we can even apply for funding. Without a plan somebody could get sued. Funding from Salmon recovery is better than it has been, the project described here has a good chance of being funded. 

Tim: Can’t even get into the creek. Short term fix is probably a larger pump to be on-call. (Ferguson’s could be a source for diesel pumps: Bill Chamberlain) 

Dan Cothran: Grays River was funded. We funded dredging though ineffective. We also have a situation in the Elochoman. Not just this district. Limited flood control money. Gotta play the game with the Feds and these fisheries. We were blindsided be people asking us for money. We depend of the diking district. 

Comment: Why not CREST plan for tide gate now, put our own engineer, and go for the funding. 

Pete Ringin, County engineer: “A lot to do here, only can do so much, must stick be county priority list. Paperwork to capture federal funds is tricky. If not done right, they take your money. Won’t say no to volunteers to help with paperwork. 

Quinn: water over dike by tavern. Tim: water ran along dike. 

Question: Can debris behind dikes and gates be removed? Tim: Debris has been removed. Steel screen keeps debris out. (trash rack) 

Comment; If no county money, federal possible? Tim: mitigation plan. Might qualify for FEMA funds. “They’re on board for that”,  Doesn’t know about state money. 

Question: have you checked for emergency money. George Trott: State is waiting for possibility of Federal funds. Question is still pending. Can’t ask for money without a specific project. 

Question: Has this problem in Skamokawa been addressed specifically? 

Pete Ringin: Feds have looked at problem here. Pete is talking to FEMA people. 

Bill C; What do we have to do to expand the district? Tim: Should probably be a Watershed rather than a diking district. 

Jessica asked for show of hands of those who would be willing to be in district even if they are not now. Most raised. (20 or so of over 30 present) 

Frank Webb: Conflicts over coming up with an effective district. Cynda: Can we copy the work that Grays River has done?

Comment: Stuart Moonen. Help offered to Tim to enlarge district. 

Tim: A lot of paperwork for this district is missing. Again, in the short term, a pump is best solution. Would like to discuss water volume with Darin to determine pump size. 

Jessica: relayed comment from Kay re: patrolling the pumps. 

Comment: No key was available to open park gates to get back to patrol tide gates. Answer: Park property is locked to reduce vandalism. 

Jessica: Additional meeting soon for petitions and further discussion. 

At this point, meeting adjourned for coffee, cookies and post meeting discussions., 

Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Morgain,
Secretary