Title

Summary

Resolution re Countywide Flood Control Zone District

BOC letter to Corps re Flood Control Phases

To be funded by the Skagit Countywide Flood Control Zone District

"With the development of the flood control project, some areas may not receive 100-year protection and a variety of floodplain management techniques will need to be evaluated.  This may include buy-outs, elevation of structures, flood proofing, and changes to the current zoning and regulations to prevent development in areas that have been identified as flood prone."  "The proposed Flood damage reduction measures were designed so that the Corps hydraulic analysis can evaluate a range of flows with an attempt to optimize the benefit to cost ratio."

Gene Sampley Draft Skagit River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan That Improves Flood Control and Benefits Salmon Recovery Resolution which replaces the flood control committee with the FCZD governance structure plus have the FCZD Executive Committee "recommend long term funding options based on drafts developed by staff to fund construction of the recommended projects" plus emphasizes doing both flood control and salmon recovery and finally seek Corps of Engineers assistance.

"The revised PMP identifies Federal and non-Federal funding requirements and assigned responsibility for performing identified studies and activities required to complete the feasibility study phase."  Appears Skagit County is proceeding with countywide flood control zone district (property taxes).

Attachment 1

Attachment 1a

Attachment 1b

Attachment 1c

Attachment 1d

Video of meeting can be viewed at http://skagit.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=129

#1.  Document shows proposed level of authority for Skagit Countywide Flood Control Zone District ("SCFCZD")

#1a.  Shows everyone that the SCFCZD is controlled by the County Commissioners who have ultimate decision making power.

#1b.  Shows purpose and number of "Advisory Committee" members (15).  Public limited to 3 minute presentations.  "Advisory committee will be tasked with funding."

#1c.  Public Works Dept. staff roles for the SCFCZD.

#1d.  Technical Committee Rules

“Jim Voetberg, P.E., Director, Skagit County Department of Public Works, welcomed the new AC members and challenged them to “be heroes” by recognizing the devastating impact severe floods have on everyday activities, and to work collaboratively on flood management plans most likely to result in meaningful flood damage reduction measures benefiting all County stakeholders.”

Map from June 9, 2008 Skagit County Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee meeting showing possible floodplain management projects for the Skagit River Basin.

Skagit County Public Works Department Public Announcement of upcoming 2nd meeting of the Advisory Committee.

Document put together by consultant “Triangle”, titled Initial Questions Needing Responses in CFHMP Process.

Proposed requirement of two meetings before a major decision can be made by the SC FCZD Ac.

“The Skagit Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan was developed in 2003 in response to the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 that required jurisdictions to have a FEMA approved mitigation plan in place in order to receive federal mitigation grant funds. Simply put, the mitigation plan opens the federal mitigation checkbook for all incorporated municipalities within Skagit County as well as the unincorporated areas of the county thereby increasing the amount of federal grant funds available for flood mitigation projects within Skagit County.”

Responses to questions on “video recording future AC meetings”, SC FCZD AC versus former Skagit River Flood Control Committee, a draft resolution to amend SC FCZD AC operating rules, a “cost breakdown” of the GI study and more information on the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Corps of Engineers will deliver a report to the SC FCZD AC on Skagit GI Preliminary Measures.

“WHO SHOULD ATTEND
“All appointed members of the Skagit County Flood Control Zone District’s Advisory and Technical Committees and other interested persons. The public is welcome. Anyone interested in flood management and ecosystem protection and restoration on the Skagit River are encouraged to attend.”

If supported by the SC FCZD AC, Commissioners will affirm the “major decision” rule and also that “rules and procedures” “amendments shall be by recorded motion, approved by a quorum of the Advisory Committee, and generally such amendments will not require ratification of the FCZD Board of Supervisors provided that all amendments shall comply with RCW Chapter 86.15. Exception: An amendment proposing to change the structure or membership of the Advisory Committee must be approved by the FCZD Board of Supervisors.”

What, when, where, who and why of the upcoming September 15, 2008 SC FCZD AC meeting.

After regular business, presentation by the City Gov't of Burlington & Dike District 12 on their 100-year ring levee and more.

July 14, 2008 SC FCZD AC DRAFT Meeting Summary
(Document A in Agenda)

Staff's draft summary of the July 2008 SC FCZD AC meeting.

August 18, 2008 SC FCZD AC DRAFT Meeting Summary
(Document B in Agenda)

City Gov't of Burlington/Dike District 12 Presentation
(Document C in Agenda)

23-page PDF of presentation to SC FCZD AC, includes slides about Skagit River Flood Risk in reaches of the river, the floodway issue, Crofoot's Addition investigation led by City Gov't of Burlington, and discussion of proposed levee enhancements as well as consequences of incorrect hydrology.

Skagit County Skagit River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (CFHMP) Table of Contents
(Document D in Agenda)

Overview of needs of a CFHMP.

SC FCZD AC/Skagit CFHMP Advisory Committee Preliminary Meeting Topic Schedule through February, 2009
(Document E in Agenda)

Staff-created draft of strategic plan for the SC FCZD AC's meetings.

“Straw-man” Examples of short-term and long-term goals, and objectives for the Skagit River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan
(Document F in Agenda)

“The following “straw-man” (examples of short term and long-term goals and objectives statements) were selected by staff for consideration by the Flood Control Zone District. These goal/objective statement examples are not intended to be exhaustive and were, in general, gleaned from existing comprehensive flood control management plans, the Skagit GI, interviews with participants, and statements from the Technical Committee and Advisory Committee meetings.”

DRAFT Recorded Motion of the Advisory Committee
(Document G in Agenda)

Proposed requirement of two meetings before a major decision can be made by the SC FCZD AC.

Skagit County Public Works Memo to Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee
(Document H in Agenda)

Responses to questions on “video recording future AC meetings”, SC FCZD AC versus former Skagit River Flood Control Committee, a draft resolution to amend SC FCZD AC operating rules, a “cost breakdown” of the GI study and more information on the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Memo from Chuck Bennett to Committee, Re: Skagit Natural Hazards Mitigation Steering Committee
(Document I in Agenda)

“The Skagit Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan was developed in 2003 in response to the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 that required jurisdictions to have a FEMA approved mitigation plan in place in order to receive federal mitigation grant funds. Simply put, the mitigation plan opens the federal mitigation checkbook for all incorporated municipalities within Skagit County as well as the unincorporated areas of the county thereby increasing the amount of federal grant funds available for flood mitigation projects within Skagit County.”

Skagit Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (CFHMP) Stakeholder Interview Takeaways
(Document J in Agenda)

“As an important early step in the Skagit Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (CFHMP) update process, consultant team members Cynthia Carlstad and Bob Wheeler conducted interviews with participants and other stakeholders. . . . Interviews early in the process helped provide an understanding of perspectives, commonalities, differences, and individual knowledge.”

“While flood events most directly affect property owners in the floodplain, any significant event can impact the economic health and welfare of all of Skagit County, as well as regional and national interests. A key component of the CFHMP is to inform Skagit County citizens and businesses about the life-safety and health, welfare, property, and infrastructure components of flooding in Skagit County, and at the same time allow for citizens and businesses to become actively involved in providing input into how such events can be better controlled and risks reduced.”

“The meeting will start out as a joint work session with the Board of County Commissioners to hear a presentation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on flood preparedness and flood response as part of the Flood Awareness Week.”

General summary of planned activities for Sept. 2008 SC FCZD AC meeting.

Consideration and acceptance of Advisory Committee Meeting Summary from 9/15 AC meeting
(Document A in Agenda)

Mission, Goals, Objectives, and Measurement Criteria for CFHMP
(Document B in Agenda)

Consideration and decision on recommended ground rule changes for SC FCZD AC
(Document C in Agenda)

Formal implementation of SC FCZD AC proposals that "action" on major issues would require two SC FCZD AC meetings or a supermajority of SC FCZD AC members plus a procedure for amendments to the Operating Rules and Procedures

General summary of planned activities for Nov. 2008 SC FCZD AC meeting.  Document C, Criteria for Considering Projects, is still a work in progress.

Consideration and acceptance of Advisory Committee Meeting Summary from 10/20 AC meeting
(Document A in Agenda)

Mission, Goals, Objectives, and Measurement Criteria for CFHMP
(Document B in Agenda)

Current progress of the SC FCZD AC on Potential mission, short-term and long-term goals, objectives, and measurement criteria for the Skagit River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (CFHMP).

Draft Criteria for Screening and Selecting Projects/Measures Recommendations from Technical Committees
(Document C in Agenda)

“The Skagit County Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee requested that each Technical Committee (Environmental, Dike and Drainage, Land Use) develop recommendations regarding flood project screening/selection criteria. This document provides a compilation of criteria developed by the three Technical Committees.

Finalize Operating Procedures/Ground Rule Changes for SC FCZD AC
(Document D in Agenda)

Formal implementation of SC FCZD AC proposals that "action" on major issues would require two SC FCZD AC meetings or a supermajority of SC FCZD AC members plus a procedure for amendments to the Operating Rules and Procedures.

Nov. 17, 2008 SC FCZD AC Meeting Audio of GI Study Discussion

Discussion on the Corps of Engineers General Investigation (GI) Process using these documents.

Discussion on the definition of maximum flood risk reduction.

Discussion of supporting continued county-wide participation in the federal Community Rating System (CRS) of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Itemized budget for education of Skagitonians about the Skagit River Flood Risk for SC FCZD AC review.

General summary of planned activities for Dec. 2008 SC FCZD AC meeting.

Consideration and acceptance of Advisory Committee Meeting Summary from 11/17 AC meeting
(Document A in Agenda)

Mission, Goals, Objectives, and Measurement Criteria for CFHMP
(Document B in Agenda)

Current progress of the SC FCZD AC on Potential mission, short-term and long-term goals, objectives, and measurement criteria for the Skagit River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (CFHMP).

Draft Criteria for Screening and Selecting Projects/Measures Recommendations from Technical Committees
(Document C in Agenda)

“The Skagit County Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee is developing screening criteria for determining flood risk reduction projects to be advanced for further analysis, design and review through as part of the development of a Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (CFHMP). The criteria could also be used to provide local screening of the measures proposed in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ General Investigation Study (Skagit GI).”

Meeting will be held on Jan. 20, 2008 between 2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Training Room at 325 Metcalf Street, Sedro Woolley.  Primary purpose will be focusing the Corps GI process onto specific flood risk reduction opportunities.

Consideration and acceptance of Advisory Committee Meeting Summary from 12/15 AC meeting
(Document A in Agenda)

“Straw-man” Potential Mission, Goals, and Objectives for the Skagit River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan
(Document B in Agenda)

Updated to reflect input from the Advisory Committee and Land Use Technical Committee (LUTC) input.

Project Screening Criteria for Advisory Committee Consideration
(Document C in Agenda)

The means to which a project or projects will be decided to be built and/or implemented to reduce the Skagit River Flood Risk.

Meeting notices for the SC FCZD Advisory Committee and Technical Committees.

“The major assignment (see attachments) is to develop a 1st phase (“fatal flaw”) (“no-brainer”) (“common sense”) flood reduction project screening criteria list and then to apply it to the 37 preliminary flood reduction projects/measures in the Skagit GI (and a few other projects identified by the Technical Committees). It is intended that the criteria list and the information gathered from screening the projects/measures will be forwarded to the USACE for its use in justifying which projects to continue evaluating as part of the Skagit GI. The information will also be used as the AC moves forward to develop its own prioritized project list as part of the Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan.”

Purpose is mainly to “Adopt screening and fatal flaw criteria for considering projects/measures” and “Begins the process of a local screening of the Skagit GI Measures and any local projects using screening and fatal flaw criteria in order to, from a local perspective, narrow measures to a smaller number”.

Consideration and acceptance of Advisory Committee Meeting Summary from 1/20 AC meeting
(Document A in Agenda)

Summary of activities of Jan. 20, 2009 SC FCZD AC meeting.

Document B: Mission, Goals, & Objectives for the Skagit River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan
(Document B in Agenda)

Final mission, goals and objectives document to be approved at Feb. 18, 2009 SC FCZD AC meeting.

Document C-2: Advisory Committee Input on Project Screening Criteria
(Document C-2 in Agenda)

“The Advisory Committee agreed to provide input into the screening criteria considered at the January 20, 2009 meeting. Any input would be compiled, distributed and discussed at the February 18 Advisory Committee meeting, with the goal of agreeing on a list of screening criteria.”

Initial Skagit GI Measure/Local Project Narrowing
(Document E in Agenda)

List of proposed measures and their review by the SC FCZD technical committees.

Purpose is to screen flood risk reduction opportunities for the Corps of Engineers to review for a potential future project.

Advisory Committee Meeting Summary from February 18, 2009
(Document A in Agenda)

General summary of the meeting's activities.

Fatal Flaw and Project Screening Criteria
(Document C-3 in Agenda)

Two options for must-pass criteria for any Skagit River Flood Risk reduction project.

Initial Advisory Committee Input on Corps Measures
(Document E-1 in Agenda)

“The purpose of this effort is for the AC to provide a local perspective on the Skagit GI measures for the Corps to consider as it begins the process of narrowing and lumping individual measures into a more focused and shorter list of alternatives. Additionally, the work of the AC will be used as one of the processes for determining which projects should be recommended in the CFHMP.”

“Continue the process of a local screening of the Skagit GI Measures and any local projects using screening and fatal flaw criteria in order to provide input to the Army Corps for their consideration as they screen the measures, as well as using this work effort as input for the CFHMP.”

Advisory Committee Meeting Summary from March 16, 2009
(Document A in Agenda)

“The AC worked from document E-1, “Initial Advisory Committee Input On Corps Measures, draft dated February 27, 2009” (see attachment #5). Document E-1 reflected the revisions made to Document E at the February 18, 2009 AC meeting and it also contained additional information submitted from the FCZD Technical Committees and the Cities of Burlington and Mount Vernon. The bulk of the meeting was taken up with this task. Revisions were approved live on the document as projected on a screen and are reflected in Document “E-1” (attachment #6). Work will continue to complete this task/document at the April 20, 2009 AC meeting.”

Public Comment submission from Chairman Boudinot, re: Cedar Rapids, Iowa flooding impacts

“Eight months after being hit by a flood expected to come along less than once every 500 years, this city of 120,000 is still struggling to get its head above water.  About 10 square miles of flood-wrecked neighborhoods are largely abandoned, with thousands of boarded-up houses and businesses lining debris-dotted streets. A steam and electricity generating station that served some of the city's biggest employers is still inoperable. More than 300 municipal buildings are in need of repair, along with roads and bridges.”

Public Comment Submission from Dan O'Donnell, re: Environmental Technical Committee's findings regarding Measure #35 - La Conner

“Regardless of the Corps' label, this project has consistently been called: "Gap Filler".  In a meeting with Col. Wright, it was made clear that the objective is to replace the approximately 1,700 lineal feet of levee that was removed in the early 1970's, and rebuild the spoils left from dredging an additional 1,100 ft. The Town Council does not envision building a new ring dike around La Conner.”

Public Comment submission from Bob Helton, re: rising sea levels

“Rapidly melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are likely to push up sea levels by a metre or more by 2100, swamping coastal cities and obliterating the living space of 600 million people who live in deltas, low-lying areas and small island states.”

Document E-1: Initial Advisory Committee Input on Corps Measures with March 16, 2009 AC Meeting Edits

“Comments from each of the technical committees, along with additional AC comments are shown. Green highlighted projects could be eligible for early action implementation. Yellow highlighted projects need additional analysis, development, design, and alternative packaging. Red highlighted projects should be abandoned, considering any caveats listed under comments.”

Screening and Fatal Flaw Criteria for Projects/Measures
(Document C-4 in Agenda)

Current iteration of criteria for the Corps of Engineers to consider floodplain management projects for the Skagit River Basin.

Initial Advisory Committee Input on Corps Measures and Consideration of Locally Identified Projects
(Document E-3 in Agenda)

“The following table provides initial input from the Skagit Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (CFHMP) Advisory Committee (AC) on the Skagit GI measures. It additionally includes locally identified projects that the AC is considering for inclusion in the Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (CFHMP).”

SC FCZD Environmental Technical Committee Meeting Summary

“Assignment: For City of Burlington Levee Certification project, provide additional project concept information including map(s), project components, project benefits and concerns, and potential costs. Response: The project is ill defined, but appears to include levee setbacks and extensions. All setbacks should meet ETC project selection/screening criteria including the removal of hardened bank, old levees and restoration components. There should be no new hardened levees along the river.”

SC FCZD Land Use Technical Committee Meeting Summary

“The City of Burlington and Dike District #12 has issued a draft environmental impact statement on this measure with some project details. The City and District are now considering how best to respond to comments received during the public comment period. Revised site plans ... showing levee location and flood inundation areas were provided to the LUTC by ... City of Burlington.”

SC FCZD Dike District Technical Committee Meeting Agenda & Notes

“No project can reduce the existing level of flood risk protection for a given area.”

Possible Overtopping Levee Sites

Map of lower Skagit River Basin showing in bold lines along the Skagit possible overtopping levee sites.

Map of I-5 and BNSF Levee Concept

Idea is to protect the railroad and interstate as well as connect to downtown Mount Vernon flood protection.

One-pager on Nookachamps Storage

“Additional flood peak flow reduction could be achieved if the Nookachamps floodplain storage were designed to function like a temporary flood control reservoir by storing during the peak flow period and releasing the stored water after the peak had passed. Implementation of this measure requires construction of levees and gate-control flow release structures that are available to control flows into and out of the reservoir area.”

Skagit Delta Tidegates and Fish Initiative Implementation Agreement

“The Skagit Delta Tidegates and Fish Initiative is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder process convened by the Western Washington Agricultural Association in March 2006 for the purpose of identifying pathways and protocols for federal, state and local permitting of tidegate and floodgate repair and replacement activities within the Skagit and Samish River deltas. This Agreement will address actions at tidegate and floodgate sites that are under the ownership or control of Drainage, Diking, and/or Irrigation Districts that are Parties to this Agreement.”

Skagit County Consolidated Comments to City of Burlington / Dike District 12 Draft Environmental Impact Statement Regarding Proposed Flood Control Measures

“The only meaningful way to consider, analyze and balance these significant adverse impacts on the City's neighbors is to engage in a basin-wide planning process that involves and includes the jurisdictions and entities that are on the receiving end of these impacts, in a manner calculated to produce mutually agreeable, regionally applied mitigation measures and implementation solutions. For this reason, Skagit County is committed to the Corps' General Investigation process and our comprehensive flood planning efforts, which envision a holistic, basin-wide approach.”

Save the Date!

“Skagit County and the US Army Corps of Engineers are holding an Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Hearing Room, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an update on the Skagit River General Investigation study.”

Attachment 2 to 8/17 Meeting Minutes - Planning Dept memo re Skagit County flood permits

(Attachment 5 to Handout 2) Stewart July 1918 Skagit River Flood Report - Retyped

This is a retyped version of Mr. Stewart's 1918 work product.   Footnotes were added to explain terms and indicate handwritten notes that appeared on the original.  NOTE:  You can do word searches on this document.