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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: August 26,2024 <br /> TOPIC: Upper Yakima River Floodplain & Habitat <br /> Restoration Implementation <br /> ACTION REQUESTED: Direction to Staff <br /> LEAD STAFF: <br /> Arden Thomas <br /> RECOMMENDATION: <br /> Direct staff work with Bonneville Environmental Foundation on outreach efforts. <br /> BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br /> • The Flood Control Zone District applied for implementation funding for the <br /> Upper Yakima River Floodplain& Habitat Restoration Project. <br /> • This project is also known as the Lower Kittitas Reach Floodplain Reconnection <br /> Project. <br /> • The project is currently in the design phase and is on track for constructed to start <br /> in 2027. <br /> • The project will address flood risk and habitat degradation associated with the <br /> failing Hansen Pits levee. <br /> • The project will be implemented on Kittitas County and Bureau of Land <br /> Management Lands. <br /> • The Bonneville Environmental Foundation has offered to work with Kittitas <br /> County to support legislative outreach efforts. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> The failing Hansen Pits levy currently provides the worst of all worlds. It does not <br /> provide effective flood control and also disconnects the floodplain from ecologically <br /> beneficial flows. The Flood Control Zone District has been working to develop a <br /> restoration plan for County- and Bureau of Land Management-owned properties to <br /> provide more effective flood control, improve fisheries habitat, support public access, and <br /> allow for flood-compatible agricultural uses. The project is currently in the design phase <br /> and is on track for construction to begin in 2027. Kittitas County submitted a funding <br /> application to Floodplains by Design for project implementation. Floodplains by Design <br /> is a Department of Ecology program which works in partnership with the Bonneville <br /> Environmental Foundation. The ranked project list for this grant program was recently <br /> released and our$10,000,000 application ranked well,reflecting the strong benefits of <br /> this project. <br /> Page 1 of 4 <br /> PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />