The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Notice for Early Public Review of a Proposal to Support

Activity in the 100-Year Floodplain and Wetland

Town of Cathlamet

PO Box 68, 100 Main Street

Cathlamet, Washington 98612

360 795-3732

To: All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals

This publication is to give notice that the Town of Cathlamet, Washington has received a US Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG funds) from the Washington Department of Commerce to assist in the relocation of the Cathlamet Wastewater Treatment Facility to a site upland of SR 4 that is outside of the 100-year floodplain of the Columbia River and wetlands adjacent to Birnie Creek. CDBG funds will be used in conjunction with a grant and loan package from the USDA Rural Development Administration and a State and Tribal Assistance Grant administered by the Environmental Protection Agency to plan and construct the new Wastewater Treatment Facility.

This notice is required by Section 2(a)(4) of Executive Order 11988 for Floodplain Management, and by Section 2(b) of Executive Order 11990 for the Protection of Wetlands, and is implemented by HUD Regulations found at 24 CFR 55.20(b) for the HUD action that is within and/or affects a floodplain or wetland.

Floodplain Activities:

Construction will be undertaken in the 100-year floodplain to construct a new Pump Station and influent and effluent pipelines to convey the Town’s wastewater between the existing Cathlamet WWTP adjacent to the Columbia River Dike and the new Wastewater Treatment Facility Site approximately one half mile to the northeast, upland of SR 4. The Town of Cathlamet is interested in alternatives and public perceptions of possible adverse impacts that could result from the project as well as potential mitigation measures. The underground portions of the new Pump Station, portions of the new influent pipeline between the Pump Station and Second Street, and a short portion of the effluent pipeline along Second Street near the point where it connects to the existing outfall pipeline will be located within the 100-year floodplain area. Six additional three (3) inch ports will be drilled in the existing outfall diffuser in the Columbia River to provide adequate flow through the new WWTF and associated pipelines.

Wetland Impacts & Mitigation:

The Access Roadway to the new WWTF Site from SR 4 must be widened to meet WSDOT Driveway Intersection Design Requirements. Widening of the existing driveway will require filling 2,131 square feet of Category 3 wetlands. These wetland impacts will be mitigated by the restoration of approximately 9,707 square feet of wetland willow thicket along lower Birnie Creek near the existing WWTP. This wetland restoration project will improve rearing and foraging habitat for salmonids protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

The purpose of this project is to allow the decommissioning and closure of the existing Cathlamet WWTP, which is located adjacent to the Columbia River Levee, unable to consistently meet permit requirements and nearing the end of its design life.

Written comments must be received by Tina Schubert at PO Box 68, 100 Main Street, Cathlamet, Washington 98612 on or before October 19, 2011.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting: Tina Schubert @ 360 570-3350

__________________________________

George Wehrfritz

Mayor of Cathlamet

Date of Publication: October 6, 2011