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Project Facts

• This project was originally planned to develop a comprehensive flood hazard management project that would provide flood relief for communities across the basin and for I-5.

• 100-year flood protection levees or other protection measures would be used in the Chehalis River Basin. This would provide protection for roads and structures throughout the cities of Centralia, Chehalis and the surrounding communities, as well as I-5.

• This project should also reduce the economic impacts of chronic flooding in this area, including those in the trucking industry.

Overview
In coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lewis County, and WSDOT, this project was originally planned to reduce flood impacts to the Chehalis River Basin and Interstate 5.

Since receiving partial funding in 2003 from the Nickel package, additional funding required to complete the project has not been obtained. Neither the Army Corps of Engineer nor the local communities have been able to come up with the additional $70 million to fully fund this comprehensive levee project. Therefore, in 2006 the Legislature reallocated the funding and provided $2.5 million for the Chehalis River Flood Control/Airport Road project.

However, no funding is currently available for future stages of a basin wide project.

With the exception of the Airport Road project, the rest of the Chehalis Basin Levee project is on hold pending availability of funds from the various local and federal partners.

Why is WSDOT involved in a flood reduction project?
Severe flooding in this river basin impacts regional transportation (Interstate 5 was closed for several days during the 1990 and 1996 floods). Spurred by the economic impacts of chronic flooding and following the major 1996 flood, local leaders began a broad-based initiative to evaluate if any realistic options exist to reduce flood damage.

In addition, regional transportation problems had also become an issue. While planning the I-5 widening through the Chehalis-Centralia floodplain, WSDOT engineers found it necessary to raise the roadway above the flood-prone area.

With support from several federal and state agencies including WSDOT, the local community proposed to investigate and develop a comprehensive flood hazard management project that would provide flood relief for communities across the basin and for I-5.

For more information on related projects in this area please visit the I-5, Rush Road to 13th Street project and the I-5, Mellen Street to Grand Mound web pages.

Our Partners
This was a coordinated project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lewis County, and WSDOT to reduce flood impacts to the Chehalis River Basin and Interstate 5.

The End Result
This project was originally planned to develop a comprehensive flood hazard management project that would provide flood relief for communities across the basin and for I-5.

Project Benefits

• Safety: This project was originally planned to provide flood protection for roads and structures throughout the cities of Centralia, Chehalis and other surrounding communities, as well as on I-5.
• Economic: This project could also reduce the economic impacts of chronic flooding in this area, including those in the trucking industry.

What is the project timeline?

• August 2002: Draft of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released for public review and comment.
• September 30, 2002: Final EIS provided to US Army Corps of Engineer Headquarters.
• December 31, 2002: US Army Corps of Engineers releases EIS to Congress. Currently, the project partners are waiting for approval of the EIS before proceeding further.
• 2006: Project placed on hold, until funding becomes available.

Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. The project partners held a series of public meetings in conjunction with the design of the project. Local property owners provided input throughout the design of the project.

Environmental Protection
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be a large part of this project. The EIS will, in part, determine potential impacts of flood control measures on the environment (natural, ecological, social and economic); it will evaluate options for lessening (mitigating) these impacts; and determine necessary regulatory approvals.

This information will help guide final design and construction of any actions. WSDOT is committed to preserving the environment and makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impact from its projects.

Please visit the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site for more information.

Increasing safety is one of our priorities
The use of 100-year flood protection levees or other protection measures in the Chehalis River Basin will provide protection for roads and structures throughout the cities of Centralia, Chehalis and the surrounding communities, as well as Interstate 5.

Will this project impact tribal resources?
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of  The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.

Government to government consultation was initiated. Work between the US Army Corps of Engineers and both the Chehalis and Quinault tribes has been coordinated.

For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.

Financial Information

• The Legislature has current funding for construction set at $4.67 million.

How can I get more information?
Contact:

Communications Manager Sylvia Ross
WSDOT Southwest Region
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98682-1709
Phone: 360-905-2058
E-mail: RossSy@wsdot.wa.gov 

or access the project feedback form.

Para más información en español sobre este proyecto, Ud se puede llamar a (866) 973-6879 y marque 2, o envíe un correo electrónico a: swwebinfo@wsdot.wa.gov (en ingles o español).

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