PORT ANGELES — Years of work culminated on Tuesday with the formal adoption of a revised Dungeness River Flood Hazard Management Plan.
A lengthy public comment process preceded the adoption of the flood plan by two Clallam County commissioners, Mike Doherty and Mike Chapman. Commissioner Steve Tharinger is out of the office this week and did not attend the meeting.
“This plan will really help provide the education and outreach about the flood hazards and emergency preparedness for those folks that have property along the river,” Chapman said.
“Sometimes these plans get a bad rap as somehow government overreach. I think this is one time where the government is reaching out with a helping hand so landowners can prepare for future changes of the river.”
The plan informs property owners, real estate agents and residents of flood risks along the river, which has a history of wiping out homes. The plan may also help the county receive state and federal grants.
The entire plan can be viewed at the county’s Web site, www.clallam.net.
Revitalized efforts
A 2003 grant from the state Department of Ecology revitalized efforts to update the 1990 Dungeness River Comprehensive Flood Management Plan.
County staff, local volunteers and the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe contributed to the effort.
“I want to thank [state Natural Resource Planner] Hannah [Merrill] for all her work on this,” said John Miller, Department of Community Development director.
The board also passed right-of-way agreements to purchase easements from Brenda Meyer, Scott Anderson and Jeremy and Stephanie Weller for culvert replacements in the Salt Creek Basin.
The county is working with the Lower Elwha tribe to replace rusty steel barriers to restore wildlife habitat.
Total cost of the easements is $8,852.75.
Commissioners Tuesday approved an ordinance amending four commercial zones for continued Growth Management Act compliance.
A state hearings board ruled Jan. 30 that four Limited Areas of More Intensive Rural Development, or LAMRIDs, are still invalid and non-compliant with the 1990 Act.
Altered zoning
In response, the county altered zoning designations and boundaries for the Dryke/Sherbourne, Deer Park, Laird’s Corner East and Lake Farm LAMRIDs.
A public hearing preceded votes to amend the ordinance on commercial zones and a resolution adopting findings of fact.
No public comment was taken in the weekly board meeting. No members of the public attended the hearing.
In a separate Growth Management Act compliance matter, the board seeks public comment on a proposed ordinance adjusting rural moderate zones in a public hearing Tuesday.
The hearing begins at 11 a.m. in the commissioner’s chambers (Room 160) at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
A Growth Management Act compliance response is due by July 30.
In other action, the two commissioners approved an interagency agreement with the state Department of Ecology to renew the Community Litter Cleanup Program.
“It’s a great program,” said Craig Jacobs, public works director.
“It really started the process for the whole Chain Gang program.”
The county will use $71,545 to compensate two Chain Gang crew supervisors and pay for administrative costs, tools and other supplies through June 2011.
An additional $5,000 is going to camera equipment at a high-incident illegal dump site.
The Chain Gang is the county’s inmate work crew.
“There are other Chain Gangs, not just the litter crews, that are partially funded by this,” Jacobs said.
Chain Gangs build trails, repair culverts and pull noxious weeds around the county.
The board also passed a resolution designating the Serenity House as the authorized entity for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act homelessness and housing grants.
Serenity House is providing a required $62,500 match.
The board also signed a two-year, $40,774 agreement with Acela Inc. for software maintenance services.
Meanwhile, Bob Dunlap was appointed as the faith community representative to the Homelessness Task Force for a term that expires Dec. 31, 2011. Tom Cantwell was appointed as the business community representative to the same board.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
