Councilmembers praise Congressional delegation’s effort to improve federal response to Green River Valley flood threat

September 30, 2009

Summary

Senator Murray organizes delegation to secure $3.45 million in funding

Story

Metropolitan King County Councilmembers Dow Constantine and Julia Patterson today praised the efforts of Western Washington’s Congressional delegation in securing a $3.45 million allocation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to purchase 400,000 sandbags and other flood-fighting materials for use in the Green River Valley.

“I asked Senator Murray for help in getting increased federal support and she delivered,” said Constantine, Chair of the County Council. “This short-term funding is important for the preparation effort, but my goal is to see a permanent end to the flooding threat to Green River Valley residents and businesses.”

“The support of our Congressional representatives is crucial to getting the dam repaired and protecting the Green River Valley, which is a key economic engine for our region,” said Patterson, whose Fifth Council District includes many of the potentially affected communities. “In the meantime, people living in the potential flood zone need to make personal plans to protect their homes and families in the event of flooding.”

U.S. Senator Patty Murray organized her colleagues in making a Sept. 16 joint request for additional funding to Lieutenant General Robert Van Antwerp. The letter was also signed by Senator Maria Cantwell, and U.S. Representatives Adam Smith, Norm Dicks, Jim McDermott, and Dave Reichert. The letter also requested that the Corps “move quickly on the design and engineering of a permanent repair” to the Howard Hanson Dam, which has been damaged by recent storms. Federal officials are limiting the amount of water held behind the weakened dam, a situation which could lead to downstream flooding during a major storm.

Senator Murray joined Congressman Smith, Congressman Reichert, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke, and Colonel Anthony Wright of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on September 28 for a press conference highlighting federal support for the preparation effort and encouraging residents of the potential flood areas to take proper precautions.


Planning for a potential flood