PORT ANGELES — Clallam County is looking for engineers to design a new dike for the lower Dungeness River.
The three commissioners today will consider a request for proposals for the design, engineering and public outreach for the long-awaited levee setback project.
Commissioners on Monday added the call for bids to their business meeting for today.
“There’s no real reason to wait a week,” board Chairman Jim McEntire said.
Clallam County has been working since the 1990s to move back the east dike on a milelong stretch of the lower Dungeness River south of Anderson Road.
Historic floodplain
The $12 million state- and federally funded project will allow the river to reclaim its historic floodplain, reducing flood risk and improving salmon habitat, county officials have said.
Construction is slated for 2017 and 2018, county Habitat Biologist Cathy Lear said.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ dike was built in the 1960s.
Moving it back will restore about 110 acres of floodplain from river mile 0.8 to 1.8.
The new levee will include trails for people to exercise or walk their dogs.
“There certainly will be recreational opportunities,” Lear said.
Bid proposals for the design will be opened in a public meeting Nov. 24.
County partners in the project include the Army Corps, Jamestown S’Klallam tribe and state departments of Ecology and Fish and Wildlife.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
