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Legislators propose flood bills as parts of
Washington continue to receive rain
A group of concerned
Republican state representatives is proposing legislation to guard
against flooding, as parts of Washington continue to receive rain. The
measures focus on relief, prevention and local control.
“Recent rain levels in parts of Washington are a reminder we are prone
to flooding and the devastation it causes,” said Rep. Doug Ericksen,
R-Ferndale. “While we can’t stop the rain, we can do a better job of
preparing for its adverse effects on property owners and the
environment. Our bills are practical, timely and environmentally
friendly.”
Rep. Jim Buck, R-Joyce, successfully led an effort last year to update
and streamline the state’s hydraulic code, and to clarify how the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) issues hydraulic
permits during flood events. This year, Buck has requested $5 million to
be appropriated in the supplemental budget to assist flood-impacted
citizens.
“This year’s floods have
brought a barrage of emergency requests from landowners and junior
taxing districts to protect property and infrastructure,” said Buck. “In
some cases they are able to get a permit but can’t afford to actually
make the repairs. The funding I have proposed in the budget would help
pay for those needed projects.”
Rep. Gary
Alexander, R-Olympia, is introducing a bill that would allow
the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to establish
a flood-damage relief program to provide financial assistance to
individuals, businesses and local governments that have experienced
flood damage. The funding would come from a surplus in the state drought
preparedness account.
“Fortunately, our drought was not as serious as we planned for last
year. Now we want to use the surplus left over from our drought efforts
to assist those people who were adversely impacted by recent flooding
due to sustained rains,” said Alexander. “It’s important we act fast in
this short, 60-day legislative session to provide certainty to those
individuals, businesses and local governments because we don’t know if
federal relief is going to be available.”
House Bill 2373, sponsored by Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, would direct
the WDFW to give equal consideration to the protection of fish, public
safety and private property when reviewing hydraulic projects. The
measure would authorize any person who suffers property damage to bring
an action against the WDFW and the agency director, personally, for
flood damage if the agency unreasonably denied or conditioned a permit.
“My constituents Paul and Virgie Eldridge of Concrete are, right at this
moment, losing their land and home because the Department of Fish and
Wildlife has done nothing to help their plight after the river changed
course last year,” said Pearson. “It is time that we in the Legislature
hold the director responsible for the abysmal performance of his
agency.”
Pearson said his measure is long overdue. As families are losing their
property during this flooding season, he said, the Legislature is not
acting.
“My bill will give constituents who suffer damage as a result of the
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s inaction, or even outright hostility,
the ability to sue the director for his inability to properly manage his
agency,” said Pearson.
Pearson is again sponsoring a measure that would create a flood-control
and stream-bank restoration pilot program authorizing counties in select
watersheds to test permit approval processes for flood-control and
stream-bank restoration projects. Under House Bill 1354, the WDFW would
have authority to issue hydraulic project approvals to the county
legislative authority for the pilot program.
Ericksen is again sponsoring a bill that would allow local authorities
to remove gravel from waterways when it’s deemed a threat to flooding.
House Bill 1118 would allow local diking districts, flood-control
districts and counties to remove gravel from waterways if deemed
beneficial in reducing the threat from flooding.
“It’s regrettable House Bills 1354 and 1118 were not passed last year
when they were introduced. These measures offered foresight and, had
they been enacted, could have prevented some of the problems we’re
seeing today,” said Ericksen, House Republican Floor Leader. “We’re
talking about common-sense legislation that strikes the balance of
helping protect our properties while preserving our environment. These
reforms are long overdue and necessary for safety.”
The legislative session began on January 9 and is scheduled to run 60
days.
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For more information, contact:
Brendon Wold, Public
Information Officer: (360) 786-7698
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