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

Concern is mounting among Wahkiakum County officials that county roads may be damaged in the planned construction of a setback dike on the Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge.

County commissioners on Tuesday said they would raise those concerns with project managers and also look at what options the county had to protect the roads.

The Columbia River is eroding the dike along Steamboat Slough Road, and state and federal agencies worked through the winter to find a way to find money to address the threat to the dike. They settled on building a new dike set back from the river, breaching the old dike and severing Steamboat Slough Road to make wetland habitat for juvenile salmon.

The US Army Corps of Engineers planned to open bids on the project late last week.

County officials agreed to the plan with conditions that included maintaining access to fishing areas along the county road and that the county roads would be repaired if damaged during the construction. An estimated 70,000 cubic yards of sand and rock will be hauled to the refuge to construct the setback dike.

County officials worry that the heavy hauling would damage the dike road.

"I'm now very concerned about the project," Public Works Director Pete Ringen said Tuesday.

Ringen said his concern is that the Corps officials have told him the contractor will be responsible for restoring county roads to existing condition after the project only in the actual work area near the setback dike, not along the hauling routes.

"These roads are not built for that type of hauling," Ringen said.

He added that the Corps has recommended that the contractor barge the materials to the site rather than haul them on the county roads.

"It may yet turn out okay," Ringen said. "There would be much less impact, but I'm still quite concerned. We can't afford not to be on our guard."

Ringen said he wanted to document the condition of the road by contracting with Lewis County for a survey by a video camera equipped vehicle used to monitor road surfaces.

A before and after set of videos would cost $1,000, he said. He recommended a five year contract with up to $5,000 budgeted for potential camera work.

Commissioner Mike Backman suggested the county could buy its own camera for that amount and do its own survey.

That would be possible, Ringen replied, but he wants to move as quickly as possible, and that wouldn't be possible if the county bought its own camera.

Commissioners approved Ringen's suggestion but limited use to one before and after taping.

Commission Chair Blair Brady said he shared Ringen's concerns for the road. While the county should express them amicably to the Corps, the county should also look for a means to protect itself. He suggested posting a two-ton load limit on the road and requiring any contractors hauling heavier loads to obtain a permit and put up a bond that would cover any damage.

Ringen and Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow both said that might be feasible, but Ringen said the county should consult with the Corps before taking that step.

Commissioners said that conversation should occur.