2017-04-24-minutes-public-works-study-session

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: April 24, 2017 TOPIC: Schaake Levee Update ACTION REQUESTED: Informational Only LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: Support staff efforts assisting in the resolution of Bureau of Reclamation (BoR) setback levee issues. BREIFING SUMMARY: • Staff recently met with resource agency partners explaining Board of County Commission (BoCC) rationale declining USACE proposed levee repair. • Staff is meeting with resource partners in early May discussing possible permitting alternatives repairing levee damage. • BoR is now looking to sponsor the project. • Staff is working with Twin City Food ownership and BoR identifying potential properties supporting land application of process water. BACKGROUND: Recently, the BoCC elected to decline the suggested Schaake Levee Repair offered by the USACE. Several weeks ago, staff met with resource agency personnel explaining the rationale supporting the decision. During our meeting, we also challenged the permitting community to define what level of repair action they would support. We are meeting the first week in May defining permit options. Concerns over the potential loss of land suitable for process water application (Twin City Foods) continue to be an issue for BoR. DISCUSSION: During our meeting, we also challenged the permitting community to define what level of repair action they would support. We are meeting the first week in May defining permit options. Communications between BoR, Kittitas County and the City of Ellensburg appear to support BoR sponsorship of the proposed setback levee. It does not appear that the City will take over local sponsorship from the County. Page 1 of 3 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION SI -AFF REPORT