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Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
December 27, 2007     Shelton Mason County Journal
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December 27, 2007
 
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THIS SOLDIER PILE slide barrier is being constructed as a way of catching debris from mudslides at the intersec- tion of Sunnyside Road and Highway 101. This area was unscathed by this month's storm, but crews employed by the state have cleaned up 16 mudslides on 101. Crew clean up and prepare for landslides yet to come A private company hired by the state has hauled 1,100 truckloads of storm debris from 16 landslides onto and under Highway 101, and more rain might mean more work down the road. That was the word on Friday from Don Clotfel- ter, maintenance manager for the Olympic Region of the Washington Department of Transporta- tion. He figures the tab from Wilder Construction will be about $300,000 when all is said and done, with much of that money reflecting the cost of le- gally dumping approximatly 11,100 cubic yards of gravel, mud and woody debris the company has moved to clear the road between Hoodsport and the Hamma ttamma River for the passage of cars and trucks. Much of the debris was deposited by this month's storm on a stretch of 101 between Hood- sport and Lilliwaup, where one weather watcher reported counting 15 inches of rain on December 2-3. Particularly problematic were the bridges that hoist tIighway 101 over rivers and creeks that overran their banks and became choked with the woody debris they carried downstream. As late as Friday, which was 18 days after the rain let up, Wilder was still working to clear a path to Hood Canal at the mouth of Murray Creek at Holiday Beach. "The rain has turned offthe last couple of days, but there was another shot last Wednesday that continues to bring down a load and keep the clear- ance minimal under our state bridges," Clotfelter said )n Friday. WITH THE COMPANY pulling up stakes on Friday, state crews took over the excavation work at Murray Creek. "We've got unstable slope loca- tions along U.S. 101 that we monitor during the rainy seasons," Clotfelter said. "We plan on stay- ing in this area due to the volume of materials coming down the rivers. We plan on continuing to remove any further slide blockages with DOT forces." One slope that has held up under the strain is the one above Sunnyside Road just north of the Skokomish River Bridge. There was a mudslide there in November of last year that closed a sec- tion of Highway 101 for eight days, and in the days before this month's storm state crews used emergency funds to construct what transporta- tion engineers call a "sQldier pile slide barrier" that will function as "a debris catcher for future slides" and make Highway 101 "safer and more reliable." The highway was closed at the bridge for a few days after the rains of this December as Wilder went to work in the area. "The river took away the asphalt surface and it had to be repaired," Clotfelter said. At the same time the slope above Sunnyside hung tight and the soldier pile slide barrier was untested by this storm but stands guard against others the future may bring. "It just didn't happen to let loose, but it will in time," C]otfelter said. "Our geologist tells us there's quite a bit of material there and so it's only a matter of time." The DOT has been working with the Wash- ington Department of Fish and Wildlife under emergency permitting rules that allow the kind of work done it] Sund Creek and Murray Creek, where heavy equipment has been used to remove tons of storm debris. Under normal circumstances the issuance of a hydraulic project approval under rules of the State Environmental Policy Act can take 45 days or longer, but state law allows for the immediate issuance of emergency permits to address an "immediate threat to life, the public, property or of environmental degradation." DEBRIS REMOVED from the roads was dumped fbr a fee at a site owned by the Sheldon family, Clotfelter said, with the cost of Wildes services also covering the work the company has done on guardrails damaged by the landslide. As of last Thursday, officials reported that 72 sections of road were still blocked statewide. "We are not yet able to estimate costs for storm emer- gency response and repairs. We are still assess- ing storm damage," a DOT bulletin said. With estimates of storm damage in Mason County at $18 million and rising, emergency hy- draulic project approvals have been fast and furi- ous. While the worst may be over, many streams are still running high and there's more material rushing towards the bridges of Highway 101. "Time will tell how many times we're going to have to muck them out," Clotfelter said. A STATE WORKER checks out the new slide barrier on Highway 101. Horse course helps keep it clean A free workshop on "Natural Alayne Blickle will showcase sales. Ways for Managing Horse Prop- and explain different designs for Conservation districts are a erties" will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, the Mason Conservation District has announced. Participants will learn how to control dust, mud, bugs and weeds naturally, while reducing dependency on fertilizers, herbi- cides and other chemicals. The workshop will be held in the office of the Thurston Conser- vation District at 2918 Ferguson Street SW, Building 1, in Tumwa- ter. This program may be useful to owners of cattle, goats, llamas, alpacas and other livestock. low-cost ways to put native trees, shrubs and animals to work for you on your property. She is the creator and program director of Horses for Clean Water, and writes and travels around the country providing education and information on environmentally sound horse-keeping practices. Free bird-nesting and bat- nesting box designs and excellent resource books will be available for review, as well as resource information and details about purchasing native plants at con- servation district native plant unique form of regional, non-reg- ulatory government that match- es local needs with technical and financial resources to help land- owners solve on-the-ground con- servation issues. Consultng ser- vices are available for free to all county residents. The workshop is sponsored by Thurston and Mason conserva- tion districts, with funding from the Washington Department of Ecology. For more information send an e-mail to Karin Strelioff at karinls@masoncd.org or call her at 427-9436, Extension 22. Vote on Brinnon resort has been set for early next year By ALLISON ARTHUR to ensure that the project would Port Townsend and employ green technology and that Jefferson County Leader consumption of well water would Jefferson County commission- be only an estimated 79 gallons ers, overwhelmed with opinions per unit per day. He also talked to and information about a proposed Commission Chairman Phil John- resort at Brinnon, have delayed a son after the meeting. decision on the project until next As for the economic impact, year. Mann said the typical resort resi- The proposal calls for amend- dent is expected to spend between ing the Jefferson County Corn- $190 to $275 a day and that trans- prehensive Plan to allow amas- lates to $125 million in direct ter-planned resort to be developed sales, not including the value of on 256 acres at Black Point near construction to the county. the Mason-Jefferson County line. Former Jefferson County Plan- The project would include a golf ning Commission members Den- course, resort, additional commer- nis Schultz and Jim Hagen voiced cial uses and residential additions support. to the Pleasant Harbor Marina Brinnon resident Lisa John- area for a total of 890 residential ston said she and others opposing units, most of which would be oc- the project had been called many cupied seasonally, names over the last few months, The proposal is a precursor to including "vociferous minority," a more detailed project plan that "uninformed" and "inbred." She would need to be submitted for urged countycommissionersnotto more reviews and comments prior be swayed by threats of the Brin- to any project approval. The Jef- non school closing or the economy ferson County Planning Commis- Collapsing should the project be sion has recommended approval rejected. of the proposal to amend the corn- GEORGE SICKEL of Brirmon prehensive plan. said the project would be one of THE COMP-PLAN amend- the "best things  ever for the com- ment for the resort is only one of munity. 10 amendments currently under At the county commissioners' consideration by Jefferson County December 10 meeting, Scalf told commissioners. After discussing commissioners they need to delib- their misgivings about a rezone erate on all 10 comp-plan amend- for another project at their meet- ments together and evaluate the ing on December 10, the commis- cumulative impacts the proposals sioners pushed a decision on the will have on the county. series of amendments to January Chairman Johnson said he . 14. They may also use another day was concerned about the amount to consider the amendments. One of last-minute information he county official is urging the corn- had been given from a number of missioners to deliberate on the 10 sources, including an Olympia at- proposed amendments together torney who is representing oppo- to evaluate their cumulative im- nents of the resort proposal, and pacts, others. The commissioners heard some "I just need more time to digest testimony on the Brinnon project it," Johnson said. December 3, then continued the Commissioner David Sullivan hearing that night until Decem- said he had read a lot of material bet 6 because rainstorms that day Friday and Saturday, December prevented some people from at- 7-8, and again Sunday, Decem- tending, then decided December ber 9, and he too had questions 10 to delay action, about the resort proposal. He said Unlike a public hearing in Brin- he thought he needed more time non in front of the Jefferson Coun- to weigh the promises that were ty Planning Commission in which being made against the possible a number of people expressed con- risks. ................... cern about the proposal disturb- SULLIVAN SAID he thought ing rural character, a majority the Brinnon community was re- of about two dozen people speak- lying on the county to deal with ing December 3 in front of county issues, such as spelling out how commissioners supported the pro- agreements between the propo- posal and said environmental ira- nent and public agencies in Brin- pacts could be mitigated, non, including the school district The planning commission, in and fire district, would work. recommending approval of the . "Taking time, being thoughtful, estimated $300 million proposal, makes a better decision," Scalf attached more than a half-dozen agreed. conditions to its recommenda- Commissioners also noted that tion. Those conditions are related the December 3 storm had an ira- to water use, Hood Canal and pact on the process because people greenbelts as well as the impact had called in wanting to comment the proposed development would that night but were storm-bound. have on public facilities and the Not only was that public hearing local economy, continued to December 6, but the Department of Community deadline for commenting on the Development Associate Planner plans for the resort was extended Karen Barrows announced at the to December 7. December 3 hearing that his office The rsult was a deluge of corn- is recommending approving the ments that commissioners said application with one modification: they wanted more time to evalu- that it be incorporated in the Brin- ate. non Subarea Plan Alternative, which includes what is known as the Jupiter and Tudor properties as well as property owned by the Correction: Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lake residents BARROWS SAID the goal is to realize the "greatest commu- don't want to be nity involvement" through that in district inclusion. The Jupiter and Tudor JarJt properties would be outside the Shirley Willeiksen's remarks control of The Statesman Group, at last week's meeting of the Ma- a Canadian company proposing son County Commission were not the resort. quite as they appeared in last "It's a community concept," week's edition of The Journal. She DCD Director Al Scalf said after spoke of a petition she helped cir- the public meeting on December culate recently. It had 347 signs- 3. He said the department's rec- tures in favor of removing the Ma- ommendation would require the son-Benson Lake voting area from community involvement, the proposed Metropolitan Park Sandy Mackie, a Seattle attor-, District 1. ney for The Statesman Group, led "We are not attempting to in- s team of project consultants and volve any of the North Mason dis- supporters December 3. Mackie trict nor the rest of the Grapeview reiterated that water runoff is- sues into Hood Canal could be voting district in our attempt to disengage from this plan to put mitigated, and he urged approval a 'Metropolitan Park District' for of the rezone request. Mason County on the ballot next Several consultants who had worked on a draft environmental- year," she clarified. Willeiksen pointed out that a impact statement also vouched for metropolitan park district may the prbject, collect a tax of up to 75 cents per M. GARTH MANN, presi- $1,000 of assessed property valu- dent of The Statesman Group, ation every year, indefinitely. She which has its U.S. headquarters cited a a pamphlet distributed by in Scottsdale, Arizona, presented the Aquatic and Wellness Commit- a PowerPoint presentation titled, tee, which said it plans to take the "Pleasant HarborMarinaandGolf full 75 cents per $1,000 allowed Resort Think Green." He talked on properties in the proposed dis- about water harvesting and vowed trict. Thursday, December 27, 2007 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page 27 THIS SOLDIER PILE slide barrier is being constructed as a way of catching debris from mudslides at the intersec- tion of Sunnyside Road and Highway 101. This area was unscathed by this month's storm, but crews employed by the state have cleaned up 16 mudslides on 101. Crew clean up and prepare for landslides yet to come A private company hired by the state has hauled 1,100 truckloads of storm debris from 16 landslides onto and under Highway 101, and more rain might mean more work down the road. That was the word on Friday from Don Clotfel- ter, maintenance manager for the Olympic Region of the Washington Department of Transporta- tion. He figures the tab from Wilder Construction will be about $300,000 when all is said and done, with much of that money reflecting the cost of le- gally dumping approximatly 11,100 cubic yards of gravel, mud and woody debris the company has moved to clear the road between Hoodsport and the Hamma ttamma River for the passage of cars and trucks. Much of the debris was deposited by this month's storm on a stretch of 101 between Hood- sport and Lilliwaup, where one weather watcher reported counting 15 inches of rain on December 2-3. Particularly problematic were the bridges that hoist tIighway 101 over rivers and creeks that overran their banks and became choked with the woody debris they carried downstream. As late as Friday, which was 18 days after the rain let up, Wilder was still working to clear a path to Hood Canal at the mouth of Murray Creek at Holiday Beach. "The rain has turned offthe last couple of days, but there was another shot last Wednesday that continues to bring down a load and keep the clear- ance minimal under our state bridges," Clotfelter said )n Friday. WITH THE COMPANY pulling up stakes on Friday, state crews took over the excavation work at Murray Creek. "We've got unstable slope loca- tions along U.S. 101 that we monitor during the rainy seasons," Clotfelter said. "We plan on stay- ing in this area due to the volume of materials coming down the rivers. We plan on continuing to remove any further slide blockages with DOT forces." One slope that has held up under the strain is the one above Sunnyside Road just north of the Skokomish River Bridge. There was a mudslide there in November of last year that closed a sec- tion of Highway 101 for eight days, and in the days before this month's storm state crews used emergency funds to construct what transporta- tion engineers call a "sQldier pile slide barrier" that will function as "a debris catcher for future slides" and make Highway 101 "safer and more reliable." The highway was closed at the bridge for a few days after the rains of this December as Wilder went to work in the area. "The river took away the asphalt surface and it had to be repaired," Clotfelter said. At the same time the slope above Sunnyside hung tight and the soldier pile slide barrier was untested by this storm but stands guard against others the future may bring. "It just didn't happen to let loose, but it will in time," C]otfelter said. "Our geologist tells us there's quite a bit of material there and so it's only a matter of time." The DOT has been working with the Wash- ington Department of Fish and Wildlife under emergency permitting rules that allow the kind of work done it] Sund Creek and Murray Creek, where heavy equipment has been used to remove tons of storm debris. Under normal circumstances the issuance of a hydraulic project approval under rules of the State Environmental Policy Act can take 45 days or longer, but state law allows for the immediate issuance of emergency permits to address an "immediate threat to life, the public, property or of environmental degradation." DEBRIS REMOVED from the roads was dumped fbr a fee at a site owned by the Sheldon family, Clotfelter said, with the cost of Wildes services also covering the work the company has done on guardrails damaged by the landslide. As of last Thursday, officials reported that 72 sections of road were still blocked statewide. "We are not yet able to estimate costs for storm emer- gency response and repairs. We are still assess- ing storm damage," a DOT bulletin said. With estimates of storm damage in Mason County at $18 million and rising, emergency hy- draulic project approvals have been fast and furi- ous. While the worst may be over, many streams are still running high and there's more material rushing towards the bridges of Highway 101. "Time will tell how many times we're going to have to muck them out," Clotfelter said. A STATE WORKER checks out the new slide barrier on Highway 101. Horse course helps keep it clean A free workshop on "Natural Alayne Blickle will showcase sales. Ways for Managing Horse Prop- and explain different designs for Conservation districts are a erties" will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, the Mason Conservation District has announced. Participants will learn how to control dust, mud, bugs and weeds naturally, while reducing dependency on fertilizers, herbi- cides and other chemicals. The workshop will be held in the office of the Thurston Conser- vation District at 2918 Ferguson Street SW, Building 1, in Tumwa- ter. This program may be useful to owners of cattle, goats, llamas, alpacas and other livestock. low-cost ways to put native trees, shrubs and animals to work for you on your property. She is the creator and program director of Horses for Clean Water, and writes and travels around the country providing education and information on environmentally sound horse-keeping practices. Free bird-nesting and bat- nesting box designs and excellent resource books will be available for review, as well as resource information and details about purchasing native plants at con- servation district native plant unique form of regional, non-reg- ulatory government that match- es local needs with technical and financial resources to help land- owners solve on-the-ground con- servation issues. Consultng ser- vices are available for free to all county residents. The workshop is sponsored by Thurston and Mason conserva- tion districts, with funding from the Washington Department of Ecology. For more information send an e-mail to Karin Strelioff at karinls@masoncd.org or call her at 427-9436, Extension 22. Vote on Brinnon resort has been set for early next year By ALLISON ARTHUR to ensure that the project would Port Townsend and employ green technology and that Jefferson County Leader consumption of well water would Jefferson County commission- be only an estimated 79 gallons ers, overwhelmed with opinions per unit per day. He also talked to and information about a proposed Commission Chairman Phil John- resort at Brinnon, have delayed a son after the meeting. decision on the project until next As for the economic impact, year. Mann said the typical resort resi- The proposal calls for amend- dent is expected to spend between ing the Jefferson County Corn- $190 to $275 a day and that trans- prehensive Plan to allow amas- lates to $125 million in direct ter-planned resort to be developed sales, not including the value of on 256 acres at Black Point near construction to the county. the Mason-Jefferson County line. Former Jefferson County Plan- The project would include a golf ning Commission members Den- course, resort, additional commer- nis Schultz and Jim Hagen voiced cial uses and residential additions support. to the Pleasant Harbor Marina Brinnon resident Lisa John- area for a total of 890 residential ston said she and others opposing units, most of which would be oc- the project had been called many cupied seasonally, names over the last few months, The proposal is a precursor to including "vociferous minority," a more detailed project plan that "uninformed" and "inbred." She would need to be submitted for urged countycommissionersnotto more reviews and comments prior be swayed by threats of the Brin- to any project approval. The Jef- non school closing or the economy ferson County Planning Commis- Collapsing should the project be sion has recommended approval rejected. of the proposal to amend the corn- GEORGE SICKEL of Brirmon prehensive plan. said the project would be one of THE COMP-PLAN amend- the "best things  ever for the com- ment for the resort is only one of munity. 10 amendments currently under At the county commissioners' consideration by Jefferson County December 10 meeting, Scalf told commissioners. After discussing commissioners they need to delib- their misgivings about a rezone erate on all 10 comp-plan amend- for another project at their meet- ments together and evaluate the ing on December 10, the commis- cumulative impacts the proposals sioners pushed a decision on the will have on the county. series of amendments to January Chairman Johnson said he . 14. They may also use another day was concerned about the amount to consider the amendments. One of last-minute information he county official is urging the corn- had been given from a number of missioners to deliberate on the 10 sources, including an Olympia at- proposed amendments together torney who is representing oppo- to evaluate their cumulative im- nents of the resort proposal, and pacts, others. The commissioners heard some "I just need more time to digest testimony on the Brinnon project it," Johnson said. December 3, then continued the Commissioner David Sullivan hearing that night until Decem- said he had read a lot of material bet 6 because rainstorms that day Friday and Saturday, December prevented some people from at- 7-8, and again Sunday, Decem- tending, then decided December ber 9, and he too had questions 10 to delay action, about the resort proposal. He said Unlike a public hearing in Brin- he thought he needed more time non in front of the Jefferson Coun- to weigh the promises that were ty Planning Commission in which being made against the possible a number of people expressed con- risks. ................... cern about the proposal disturb- SULLIVAN SAID he thought ing rural character, a majority the Brinnon community was re- of about two dozen people speak- lying on the county to deal with ing December 3 in front of county issues, such as spelling out how commissioners supported the pro- agreements between the propo- posal and said environmental ira- nent and public agencies in Brin- pacts could be mitigated, non, including the school district The planning commission, in and fire district, would work. recommending approval of the . "Taking time, being thoughtful, estimated $300 million proposal, makes a better decision," Scalf attached more than a half-dozen agreed. conditions to its recommenda- Commissioners also noted that tion. Those conditions are related the December 3 storm had an ira- to water use, Hood Canal and pact on the process because people greenbelts as well as the impact had called in wanting to comment the proposed development would that night but were storm-bound. have on public facilities and the Not only was that public hearing local economy, continued to December 6, but the Department of Community deadline for commenting on the Development Associate Planner plans for the resort was extended Karen Barrows announced at the to December 7. December 3 hearing that his office The rsult was a deluge of corn- is recommending approving the ments that commissioners said application with one modification: they wanted more time to evalu- that it be incorporated in the Brin- ate. non Subarea Plan Alternative, which includes what is known as the Jupiter and Tudor properties as well as property owned by the Correction: Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lake residents BARROWS SAID the goal is to realize the "greatest commu- don't want to be nity involvement" through that in district inclusion. The Jupiter and Tudor JarJt properties would be outside the Shirley Willeiksen's remarks control of The Statesman Group, at last week's meeting of the Ma- a Canadian company proposing son County Commission were not the resort. quite as they appeared in last "It's a community concept," week's edition of The Journal. She DCD Director Al Scalf said after spoke of a petition she helped cir- the public meeting on December culate recently. It had 347 signs- 3. He said the department's rec- tures in favor of removing the Ma- ommendation would require the son-Benson Lake voting area from community involvement, the proposed Metropolitan Park Sandy Mackie, a Seattle attor-, District 1. ney for The Statesman Group, led "We are not attempting to in- s team of project consultants and volve any of the North Mason dis- supporters December 3. Mackie trict nor the rest of the Grapeview reiterated that water runoff is- sues into Hood Canal could be voting district in our attempt to disengage from this plan to put mitigated, and he urged approval a 'Metropolitan Park District' for of the rezone request. Mason County on the ballot next Several consultants who had worked on a draft environmental- year," she clarified. Willeiksen pointed out that a impact statement also vouched for metropolitan park district may the prbject, collect a tax of up to 75 cents per M. GARTH MANN, presi- $1,000 of assessed property valu- dent of The Statesman Group, ation every year, indefinitely. She which has its U.S. headquarters cited a a pamphlet distributed by in Scottsdale, Arizona, presented the Aquatic and Wellness Commit- a PowerPoint presentation titled, tee, which said it plans to take the "Pleasant HarborMarinaandGolf full 75 cents per $1,000 allowed Resort Think Green." He talked on properties in the proposed dis- about water harvesting and vowed trict. Thursday, December 27, 2007 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page 27