PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners recognized the work of those over the weekend who handled the drinking water ban during their work session on Monday.
“On Friday, on Highway 101 just west of the Elwha Bridge, we had vehicle accident involving a dual-tanker fuel truck,” county administrator Todd Mielke said. “It left the road and rolled and ended up upside down in Indian Creek. It was leaking fuel, and there were signs of contamination in the waterway, so based on that, the sheriff reached out to me and asked that we declare an emergency.”
After contacting commissioners, the emergency was declared by 1:30 p.m. Friday, Mielke said. The city of Port Angeles issued a notice to conserve water but was going through its reserves quickly, so on Sunday, a drinking water ban was issued.
“Part of the challenge (Sunday) was trying to figure out who had what testing results,” Mielke said. “There’s a different standard for drinking water and environmental results.”
The drinking water ban was lifted Sunday evening.
Mielke presented a resolution for ratification that the emergency was declared, and commissioners approved the resolution.
In other business, Rick Burns was chosen to be appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Burns is active in the community through the disc golf course, commissioners were told. The disc golf course is run by volunteers.
“It’s really exciting when we have new people who want to take part,” commissioner Mark Ozias said.
Commissioners also learned about a grant from the Office of Crime Victim Advocacy.
”The grant was applied for in the amount of $62,230 and we received $54,029,” according to the agenda memo.
“This grant will fund nearly 60 percent of the salary and benefits of our current victim witness coordinators and is an invaluable resource for our office. There are no match requirements, and funds must be used to maintain and enhance the service our office provides to victims and witnesses of crimes.”
Although it’s discouraging the grant was decreased, any money helps, commissioners were told.
Commissioners also learned that Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County is applying for the state Department of Commerce Connecting Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP) grant for its Lyons Landing project. The grant would help the 45-unit single-family residential development located in Carlsborg to cover water/sewer utilities hookup fees and the balance for infrastructure cost in the amount of $1 million.
“Habitat was successful in partnering with the city of Sequim in the round two years ago,” said Colleen Robinson, the executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County. “This would be immensely helpful in us getting that project funded and the houses built because we can’t start building until we have the infrastructure. In as little as a year, we could be building houses that we desperately need here.”
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Reporter Emily Hanson can be reached by email at emily.hanson@peninsuladailynews.com.
