Council Mulls Corps’ Coppei Flood Project

WAITSBURG - The way Stanley Heller describes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' proposed new flood control project for Coppei Creek certainly sounds enticing: protection against a 100-year flood, a possible reduction in home owner's insurance rates and requirements, and possible implementation before the area sees too many more cold wet winters with high snow packs and lots of rain.

"It's hard to know when that big (flood) event is going to happen," said Heller, the Corps' project manager based in Walla Walla. "This is a good year to consider it."

The downside of considering the project this year, however, is the current economic slump because the Coppei Creek Risk Reduction Project doesn't come free. Even though the federal government would cover 65 percent of the cost, Waitsburg taxpayers would still have to come up with $2 million through a special bond.

On Wednesday night, Waitsburg's city council is expected to decide whether to bring this choice before voters in the form of a ballot measure this fall or to table it, possibly until times get better.

"It's a tough sell right now," Waitsburg City Clerk Randy Hinchliffe said. "I don't think it (ballot measure) would fare very well."

The Corps' new plan is the reincarnation of a similar plan first floated earlier this past decade, about six years after the 1996 flood. That plan was modified with local input and the new version was presented to the city several weeks ago.

It calls for a choice of four alternatives: The first is to fill the fairgrounds parking area, reconstruct the adjacent levee and clear trees and obstructions upstream. The second is to implement the first alternative and construct a second levee upstream of the race track and regrade the ground to drain toward Coppei Creek to protect the tracks and fairgrounds.

The third is the construct the first two and develop a low-point drainage swale downstream of Orchard Road and through the alfalfa field back to Coppei Creek. This would protect an area northeast of Coppei Creek west of Highway 12.

The fourth includes the first three, the construction of a floodwall, complete the remaining portion of the second levee and remove the knoll south of Coppei Creek. This would protect a major portion of the city against flooding from Coppei Creek, according to the Corps.

During the past several years, the city implemented a number of affordable flood mitigation measures initiated under former Mayor Markeeta Little Wolf. They included dredging under the

City Council Meeting

Wed., May 18 7 p.m.

Lions Bld.

rebuilt and expanded Coppei bridge on Highway 12, and a strengthened levee south of the Fairgrounds.

Heller said that work is probably good protection against a 5- or 10-year flood event.

"The city's work has certainly reduced the risk, but doesn't offer quite the same level of protection," he said.

The complete four-phase $4 million project, which is designed to cost two thirds less than a flood is estimated to cause in property and other damages, doesn't have an expiration date. But if shelved, its costs would have to be recalculated the next time it's proposed for voter approval, Heller said.

Hinchliffe said the Corps' funding would be about $2.6 million, leaving $1.4 million plus engineering, design and environmental fees for a total of about $2 million as the city's tab.

Originally, the Waitsburg Coppei Flood Control District was the initial project's local "sponsor," but that organization dissolved in 2008. The city expressed interest to be the project sponsor later in 2008, when it also received a grant that permitted it to develop its design concept minimizing landowner opposition and use a phased construction approach.

If the council decides to bring the project before Waitsburg voters, it would be on the ballot in November, Hinchliffe said.