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Shelton Mason County Journal
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November 17, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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November 17, 2011
 
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I Skok watershed plans to be unveiled By NATALIE JOHNSON The Skokomish Water- shed Action Team (SWAT) plans to unveil 40 projects proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers to help correct persistent flooding and relat- ed issues in the Skokomish Valley on December 2. '57¢e've had several 100 year floods in the last few years," said Rich Geiger, en- gineer with the Mason Con- servation District. Last year the SWAT group teamed up with the Army Corps of Engineers for a Gen- eral Investigation Study to identify projects that could address flooding issues in the Skokomish Valley. The SWAT group and lo- cal agencies like the Mason Conservation District briefed Mason County Commission- ers Lynda Ring Erickson and Steve Bloomfield about the progress in the study on Monday. "We feel like we've made great progress in the goals in our action plan," said Mike Anderson, senior resource analyst at the Wilderness So- ciety. Although the study is not yet complete, the Corps has identified 40 projects, some that could be done by local agencies such as the Mason Conservation District, the Skokomish Tribe, the Hood Canal Coordinating Council and others, while three to five projects are large enough to be taken on by the Corps itself. The SWAT group will Journal photo by Natalie Johnson Rich Geiger, an engineer at the Mason Conservation District, showed the Mason County Commission current and historical pictures of what the Skokomish Valley looks like during flooding. first debut the suggestedtlement began to take over programs at their next gen- the valley, clear cutting of old eral meeting at 9 a.m. on growth timber and the con- December 2 at the Skokom- struction of dikes and dams ish Grange, but space will be contributed to many of the limited. The pubhc will have problems seen in the valley several other chances to com- today, Geiger said. ment at subsequent meet- Today, the Skokomish ings, Geiger said. River can only handle water Some of the major prob- flows of 2,600 feet per second lems in the Skokomish Valley before it floods, he said. include frequent flooding, a "More insidious is the rise rising water table, disappear- of the water table in the val- ing salmon habitat and farm- ley," he said. land and sediment deposits, SWAT member Jason Ra- all of which contribute to low gan said 41 homes and 3,000 oxygen contents in Hood Ca- acres of farmland have been nal. lost to floodwaters in the last "The Skokomish Valley 20 years. After such hard was originally inhabited by times, residents are frustrat- the Skokomish Tribe," Gei- ed. ger said. "They also did some "A lot of residents are not sophisticated forest man- interested in participating agement ... with controlled anymore because of past in- burns." action," Ragan said. However as western set- The health of fish and shellfish is also a major mo- tivator for initiating the suggested programs, SWAT members said. "The Skokomish River is the largest river in the Hood Canal so in terms of restor- ing salmon population ... the key is the Skokomish River," said David Hererra from the Skokomish Tribe. The flooding has also ham- pered shellfish growth at the mouth of the Skokomish River in Anna's Bay. This has helped to cause low dissolved oxygen levels in Hood Canal. "Due to the sediment imbalance, one of the ma- jor problems we found with shellfish is they're being cov- ered with silt," Geiger said. Some of the suggested projects could be paid for by money from a 2009 settle- ment between the City of Tacoma, which owns the Cushman Dam, and the Skokomish Tribe, Herrera said. The settlement and new operating permit for the power company that resulted from it, includes money to help mitigate damage done to the Skokomish watershed by the dam. Commissioner Bloomfield commented on the state of the Skokomish River Valley. "I was shocked by the level of gravel and aggregate in the river," he said. "This is a long process ... any way that we can help, I'm all for that, the sooner the better. It's impor- tant for that system to func- tion for the marine system to function." Let Us Keep Our Furnace/Heat Pump Residential Service Sale This The Port of Shelton will soon begin repairs to an at the Oakland Bay Marina. Courtesy photo aging floating breakwater Port to conduct emergency repair at marina By NATALIE JOHNSON adequately support a floating breakwater, considering severe tidal fluctuations and Damage to a breakwater in Oakland limited water depth in this location," the Bay Marina prompted the Port of Shel- resolution reads. ton Commission to take emergency action The resolution authorizes Dobson to Tuesday to fix it. execute the project without a competitive The floating breakwater structure has bid. suffered extensive damage during winter The port commission also approved its storms over the last several years, and is 2012 budget unanimously on Tuesday. not expected to survive another winter, The budget promises a net income of port Executive Director John Dobson told $179,358.01. the commission Tuesday. As part of the budget, the port reviewed "A floating breakwater structure is crit- its five-year capital improvement plan ical to protecting the marina and tenant earlier this month, which includes sever- property from wave action associated with al projects expected to be completed or at northeasterly winds," the emergency reso- least begun in the next year. lution reads. These projects include $70,000 dock While the port had included the project work at the Oakland Bay Marina, $153,890 in its 2012 budget, concern over coming of aviation projects to be reimbursed by November storms prompted them to start the Federal Aviation Administration the work earlier. (FAA), and connecting to city water lines "Pile replacement is the best method to on Johns Prairie Road. Page A-8 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, November 17, 2011 Topic: Tacoma Power's Cushman lydroek Shoreline Management Plan Where: Mason County Fire District 18 Hall, 240 North Staridstill Drive When: Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. i What: Tacoma Power will provide an update on the prog!ess of the ctric Project Hoodsport, Washin ushman Hydroelectri( Project shoreline management plan process. Attendees will have an qpportunity to ask questions and provide input. The draft shoreline management plan Will be available for review by Nov. 18 on Tacoma Power's website at tacomapower.com/cu You can email your comments to Bret.Forrester@cityoftaco~a.orq or suL Tacoma Attn: Bret Forr, TACOMA POWER 3628 South 35th Stieet * Tac TACOMA PUBLIC UTILITIES 5hmanplan. rnit them by mail to: ver . ster ma, WA 98409 Truck ...... )PEN M: Located on Hwy. 101 between Shelton & Olympia Call Fer Details and Pricing to Other Areas Thursday is STEAK NIGHT in lounge NY Steak $999 Please Join Us ,r A TAYLOR STATION THANKSGIVlN DAY TRADITIONAL THANKS DINNER BUFFET -6pro Turkey and Ham with All the Fixin's Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Sweet Potatoesi Dressing, Cranberry Sauce, Fruit Salad, / Salad Bar, Pumpkin Pie, & Beverage Include l. Children 6 and under Free Children 7-12 $6,99 QUET for up to 35 Make your party now/