Welcome to Skagit County
|
July 23, 2002 DAHLSTEDT WARNS OF FLOOD DANGER HERE, "A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN" Texas floods take 16 lives and cause $1 billion in property damage SKAGIT COUNTY - In light of the recent floods in Texas that took 16 lives and caused property damage estimated at $1 billion, Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt warned that the Skagit River is a "disaster waiting to happen." Emergency workers using boats and helicopters, rescued thousands of residents trapped by rising floodwaters as President George W. Bush declared 28 counties in south-east Texas disaster areas. "Our floods in 1990 and 1995 were 30 to 35 year events. We're going to have a much larger flood here someday, and with 105,000 people now living in Skagit County, there could be significant loss of life and property damage that could make these Texas figures look pale by comparison," said Dahlstedt. The Skagit County Commissioners have gone on record as supporting a diversion channel to be constructed from Avon to the Swinomish Channel that would provide significant flood protection. Options for this alternative could also create salmon and wildlife habitat, in addition to recreational opportunities. Parts of the channel could be left in agricultural production. For the past five years, Skagit County and the U.S. Corps of Engineers have been involved in an $8.4 million dollar feasibility study to find a solution to the Skagit River risk. "We are in the process of finding a solution to flood control on the Skagit River, and need everyone's cooperation in this process," said Dahlstedt. Dahlstedt said that Skagit County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are in the environmental impact study stage of the Skagit River Flood Prevention/Salmon Restoration Project and are actively seeking public participation for a community consensus to solve the problem. "Burlington and parts of Mount Vernon could be under more than 12 feet of water in a major flood event. The Anacortes Water Treatment Plant and the refineries on March's Point would be shut down. Oak Harbor and Anacortes would be without water and I-5, Highway 20 and railroads would be impassible," said Dahlstedt. "I'm confident we can gain community consensus on a flood project that will be environmentally friendly and save lives and property," said Dahlstedt. "Human lives and potentially $1 billion in property damage is at stake here. I'm hoping the environmental, agriculture and business community can come together and agree on a solution. The 'do nothing' option will not only cost human life, it will be an environmental nightmare in the event of a major flood."
|