Gov. Gregoire announces agreements to address flooding in Chehalis River basin

For Immediate Release: June 24, 2008

Agreements support study of flood problems throughout the basin and development of a flood-control project for Centralia and Chehalis

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced two agreements signed by the state to further work in the Chehalis River basin that will reduce and prevent flooding similar to what occurred last December.

�First and foremost, we realize that a lot of people are still recovering,� Gregoire said. �Even though we are making progress on recovery and taking steps to prevent future harm, we are still concerned for those who are suffering and will continue to work to help them.�

The state signed an agreement with the new Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority (Authority) to conduct a basin-wide analysis. This analysis will be led by the basin governments through the Authority, and will determine the range of flood prevention projects needed throughout the entire basin. The Authority members are the counties of Lewis, Thurston and Grays Harbor, the cities of Chehalis, Centralia, Montesano and Aberdeen, the towns of Pe Ell and Bucoda, and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.

�The December storm grimly highlighted the need to find solutions to flooding problems in the Chehalis Basin and have spurred our commitment to making it happen,� Gregoire said. �The state is committed to helping the entire basin develop solutions.�

The state also signed a second agreement with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop a flood control project at Centralia and Chehalis. The first step of this work will be to examine all the new data from the recent flood to re-evaluate past project proposals and determine which project should proceed.

�To be clear, the state will look to basin governments for guidance and will not impose a solution on them,� Gregoire said. �People come first, not freeways. As specified in the state legislation, construction will not start on a project until we have formal agreement between the basin governments and the state.�

The state, working closely with federal and local governments and volunteer organizations, quickly responded to the disaster in December and provided significant help to the region. Aid ranged from helping to rescue and protect residents during the first days of the disaster to recovery assistance to help people get back on their feet.

For a summary of state actions, please visit www.governor.wa.gov/news/90Day_StormSummary.pdf.


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