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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: October 28, 2019 <br />TOPIC: Lick Creek Update <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Informational — No Action Required <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Mark R. Cook <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Continue efforts connecting Lick Creek to the Teanaway River <br />• Recently, Public Works (PW) completed a flood study on Teanaway Road <br />resulting from culvert replacement at Lick Creek (EXHIBIT 1). <br />• The study was required to define adverse impact for Washington State <br />Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) decision making. <br />• PW desires connecting Lick Creek to the Teanaway River. A local <br />resident is opposed to making the connection. <br />• Adverse impact is predicted by replacing the culverts with the proposed <br />bridge and maintaining creek flow in roadside ditches. <br />• PW is seeking sponsorship of the project from WDFW under RCW <br />77.55.181. PW sent a letter to WDFW in September (2019) requesting <br />sponsorship of its project connecting Lick Creek to the Teanaway River <br />(EXHIBIT 2). <br />BACKGROUND: <br />In 2017, PW negotiated a revised contract for Teanaway Hydraulic Improvements with <br />the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at the request of WDFW. Specifically, the <br />Department requested replacement of the culverts at Lick Creek with a fish passage <br />structure. PW took delivery of the project in late 2017. In early 2018, PW presented a <br />preliminary design concept for agency consideration. Connecting Lick Creek across <br />Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) property received support from the regional <br />Yakima Tribal fish biologist and DNR land manager. Opposition from a County resident <br />appears to have resulted in WDFW's stated concerns regarding connection of Lick Creek. <br />Nearly ten months later and at a cost of an estimated $80,000, PW has now defined the <br />adverse impact of keeping Lick Creek in roadside ditches following replacement of <br />existing culverts with a fish passable bridge. <br />Page 1 of 5 <br />PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY CONSGSSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />