Laserfiche WebLink
DISCUSSION: <br />Much has happened in the past eight years with respect to fish enhancement, flood <br />alleviation and floodplain mapping in and around the urban growth area of Eburg. The <br />FCZD has completed a design for a siphon of the Ellensburg Water Company Canal at <br />Whiskey Creek eliminating the existing fish barrier. Bowers Field (ELN) is in the midst <br />of finalizing flood alleviation designs supporting pending construction of the parallel <br />taxiway and improvements to runway 7-29. There are pending FEMA flood map <br />revisions that are expected by late summer 2023 for the Whiskey/Mercer Creek systems. <br />Eburg is ready to finalize construction of a significant flood project on Dolarway. Efforts <br />are currently underway evaluating the potential to resolve floodplain issues associated <br />with the west interchange area. PW is currently designing a fish passage at BNSF to <br />thirty percent supporting permit application to WDFW. All of these actions merit a <br />coordinated stakeholder approach. An expanded stakeholder group including fish <br />managers from the Yakama Tribe, WDFW and possibly federal agencies. <br />Eburg management and staff met with county management and staff recently discussing <br />the opportunities now in front of both organizations. Those present agreed this unique <br />cooperative environment lends itself well to a broader solution approach that can help <br />alleviate flooding concerns associated with Mercer Creek, without any adverse <br />downstream impacts on Whiskey Creek or the City's current goal of certifying the new <br />levee. The Yakama Tribe, WDFW, MCFEG and possibly federal agency involvements <br />are now needed if we are to integrate all current opportunities. What was a dream eight <br />years ago, is now a pending reality. <br />FISCAL IMPACTS: <br />Undetermined at this time. Likely a work program element for the FCZD capital <br />program in 2024. <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />EXHIBIT 1: WHISKEY/MERCER SYSTEM MAP <br />EXHIBIT 2: CENTRAL WASHINGTON STRUCTURAL ALTERNATIVE 2 - 1999 <br />ELLENSBURG COMPREHENSIVE FLOOD MANAGEMENT PLAN <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 <br />