The Pierce County Council will create the framework for a countywide approach to flood-control on Tues., May 4, during a 5 p.m. meeting at Pierce College’s Puyallup campus.
The proposal (2010-16s — http://www.piercecountywa.gov/cfapps/council/iview/proposal.cfm?proposal_num=2010-16s ) establishes a Flood Control Zone District in Pierce County. Much like a school or fire-protection district, a flood-control district transcends city boundaries and has the authority to align revenue with specific flood-control projects. Pierce County experienced three of its worst floods in recorded history during the last four years, according to Councilmember Joyce McDonald, whose District 2 includes the Puyallup River valley.
“The economic well-being of Pierce County as a whole is in jeopardy if we do not adopt a unified approach to flooding,” McDonald said. “It’s clear that no city can do it alone, and it’s not appropriate for the unincorporated parts of Pierce County to shoulder the entire burden of providing solutions to a countywide problem.”
There are some 92 miles of aging flood-protection facilities along Pierce County rivers but not enough money to repair them. The resulting damage to industrial and commercial facilities, agriculture and homes has far-reaching economic impacts throughout our region.
State law allows the County Council to create a countywide flood-control zone district to undertake, operate and maintain flood-control or stormwater projects. Councilmembers, acting in their dual role as the district’s board of supervisors, will adopt a specific project list at a later date.
Tomorrow’s Council District 2 meeting will be in the College Center Building Multi-Purpose Room of Pierce College Puyallup, which is located at 1601 39th Ave. S.E. It is in lieu of the council’s regular 3 p.m. Tuesday meeting in the Council Chambers; council rules call for at least one meeting a year to be held in each of the seven council districts.
The meeting will be seen on Pierce County TV (channel 22 or 78) later in the week (check schedule) and will be available on the PCTV Web site at http://www.piercecountytv.org .
