Brief Description: Appropriating funds for catastrophic flood relief.

Sponsors: By Representatives Alexander, Hunt, VanDeWege, DeBolt, Takko and Blake.

House Committee on Capital Budget
Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

In December 2007 a series of storms caused flood damage in southwest Washington. On December 8, 2007, the President declared a major disaster in the counties of Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston. Federal funding assistance was made available following this declaration.

Summary:

The sum of $50 million is appropriated to the Office of Financial Management (OFM), working with and through other state agencies, the Chehalis Basin Flood Control Authority, and other local governments, to participate in flood hazard mitigation projects for the Chehalis River basin.

Up to $2.5 million of the appropriation is for the Chehalis Basin Flood Control Authority or other authorized local government groups to develop or participate in the development of flood hazard mitigation measures throughout the basin.

The OFM is directed to participate as the non-federal sponsor of the United States Army Corps of Engineers flood hazard mitigation projects for the Chehalis River basin area for projects that are mutually agreed to between the federal government, the OFM, and the Chehalis Basin Flood Control Authority, or other authorized local government groups. The OFM is required to prepare the necessary agreements to ensure an active partnership with federal and state agencies, local governments, the Chehalis River Flood Control Authority, and others as needed.

Construction funds may not be allotted for flood hazard mitigation projects until a project agreement between non-federal project partners has been signed and submitted to the Governor and the Legislature delineating responsibility for the ongoing operations and maintenance of the projects. The agreement must also include a plan to meet applicable flood plain management requirements and to address any applicable federal requirements for managing the effect of future land use developments on the extent and severity of flooding.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   96   0
Senate   47   0

Effective: March 27, 2008