Grays River Flood Control District meeting recap

Per the request of the GRFCD directors board please note that the minutes that were used to write this report are “unapproved and remain in draft form”.

During its monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 12, the Grays River Flood Control District (GRFCD) met, with Directors Stephanie Sotka and Judy Johnson present, as well as 10 other participants. Following the approval of the January meeting’s minutes, Wahkiakum Conservation District representative Brooke Bennett stated the Grange “has discussed the issue of DOE (Department of Ecology) action relative to local farms.” Later in the meeting, Johnson spoke to DOE actions in respect to Hank Nelson’s farm and noted

“DOE has admitted wrong-doing to Senator Wilson, but Nelson has already ceased operation and is awaiting transport of the remaining cattle to Eastern Washington.”

Following Bennett’s report, Director Sotka noted that her statement regarding the GRFCD year-end fund balance “was incorrect as the deadline for processing vouchers was the date of the last meeting.” As a result of this, the year-end fund balance was $135,960.14. The fund balance as of the end of January is $135,843.22. Vouchers that were presented included $857.50 to the Wahkiakum County Treasurer, and $23 to Washington State Dept of Natural Resources (DNR). A discussion of the Treasurer bill then took place, following which the voucher total of $880.50 was approved.

County Commissioner and liaison to GRFCD Mark Letham provided an update from the board, stating he had “no update regarding the Grays River dredge permit from the Army Corp of Engineers,” but that “he does intend to speak with Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in the near future.” Passing out maps of the proposed Community Forest area, Letham noted County Commissioner and Chair Dan Cothren “is looking at the GRFCD parcel to determine if there is loggable timber on-site.”

The meeting then shifted focus to constituent Jon Thompson’s letter, which was presented to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on Tuesday, Feb. 3, regarding actions of the GRFCD. The letter states GRFCD “has exceeded its scope of authority.” The GRFCD Board responded with a letter, and Judy Johnson and Donell Dyer attended the Feb. 10 BOCC meeting. After much discussion regarding the two letters, the issue “has been referred to County District Attorney (DA) Dan Bigelow for direction.” Until then, “no further action/conclusions will be reached” per the DA.

Resident Dan Zimmerman “has found logs with extremely large bolts in his fields.” While the origin of the logs is unknown, it was confirmed they arrived in his fields via Grays River. It was noted that Director Johnson has contacted Andy Bookter of the DOE, and “he will make a presentation at the March 12 meeting regarding the gauge and possible options for improvement” and “will visit the gauge that day.” According to the Feb. 12 meeting’s minutes, the consensus of those present is that “it is not working properly and is likely submerged in silt.”

During public comment, a question was asked about Alder Drive. According to the meeting’s minutes, the residents on Alder Drive “reached an agreement with the Johnson family on Raistakka Rd. to place a new driveway into their property (with appropriate easements) and, as such, Alder Drive is no longer being used.” As was the case with Alder Drive, the new driveway “is a private road.” A brief discussion was held regarding the Seal Slough tidegate by SR-4. As far as GRFCD is aware, “replacement or repair of the tidegate is on schedule for WSDOT for the end of February.” The meeting was then adjourned at 6:47 p.m.