Pierce County Public Works and Utilities will host four public meetings in June to present information about the projects and programs that will be recommended in the Rivers Flood Hazard Management Plan.

The plan will address flood hazard issues on Pierce County’s seven major rivers. It will include policies, programs, and projects designed to reduce risks and property losses associated with flooding and channel migration.

Pierce County staff will provide an update on the planning process and information about how the plan will be completed and implemented. This is the final round of public meetings focused on the plan before the draft is released in fall 2011.

All meetings are from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a presentation from 6 to 7 p.m. Meetings will be held at the following locations:

June 15 — Orting Middle School, 111 Whitehawk Blvd. NW, Orting;

June 20 — Fife High School, 5616 20th St. E., Tacoma;

June 23 — Eatonville High School, 302 Mashell Ave. N., Eatonville;

June 28 — Lakewood Community Center, 9112 Lakewood Dr. SW, Lakewood

County staff will be available to listen to comments and answer questions. An activity table will be provided for children and attendees will be entered in a raffle to win a free emergency radio. “Flooding is a huge concern in Pierce County. The recent flooding throughout Washington state shows the importance of proactive actions to reduce damage to property and save lives,” said Harold Smelt, Surface Water Management manager for Pierce County Public Works and Utilities.

The plan is being developed by the Surface Water Management division in collaboration with the Flood Plan Advisory Committee. The committee is made up of cities, tribes, state and federal agencies, business and economic interests, watershed councils, environmental organizations, agricultural interests, citizens, and other stakeholders. The committee was formed in 2009 to advise Pierce County on complex technical and policy issues related to flood management.

Previous public meetings were held in March and November 2010 to solicit public input on the elements of the flood plan. Additional public comment will be welcomed through the Pierce County Council adoption process.

Information about the Pierce County Rivers Flood Hazard Management Plan can be found at http://www.piercecountywa.org/floodplan . For more information about the meetings, or to provide comments on the plan, contact Melissa Paulson at 253-798-4686 or mpaulso@co.pierce.wa.us.

Learn more about flooding and flood safety at http://www.piercecountywa.org/flood .