Flood Control Zone District adopts work plan and funding to prevent Katrina-like flood disasters

The threat of catastrophic flooding and economic disaster like that seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was addressed today by the King County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors with adoption of a 2008 work plan and budget that funds a program to rebuild and maintain King County's aging system of 500 levees and hardened embankments that protect residents, businesses, public infrastructure and roads.

“Time is running out. We’re beginning another flood season without the resources to make urgently needed improvements to our flood-prevention infrastructure,” said Board of Supervisors chair Larry Gossett. “In New Orleans, public officials postponed action for years. The Katrina disaster was the result. We can’t let it happen here.”

“The devastating floods of a year ago are a good reminder about the importance of our infrastructure,” said Supervisor Kathy Lambert, who represents the hard-hit Snoqualmie Valley. “Our businesses, our farmers and our residents depend on the integrity of our levee system to prevent catastrophic damages and to keep our communities safe. When our river communities suffer, we all are affected. It is much more cost-effective to prevent flooding than to repair the damage afterward.”

The King County Flood Hazard Management Plan developed by County Executive Ron Sims outlines a flood prevention project list that will cost an estimated $335 million over ten years. The Executive in his 2008 budget proposed funding the project list with a property tax assessment of 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, raising about $32 million per year for levee repairs. The Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) Board today adopted that levy rate, which was also recommended on Sept. 17 by the FCZD Advisory Committee, a 15-member body of citizens and local mayors and city councilmembers from across the county.

“We took action today to prevent catastrophic floods, ensuring our region will safely weather future winter storms that wreak havoc for so many,” said Supervisor Larry Phillips. “With a regional solution to a regional problem, our flood plan protects lives, livelihoods, property, our economy, and our environment. By making this investment upfront, we avoid massive destruction while saving the region the devastating costs of rebuilding.”

“My amendment makes this levy truly regional,” said Supervisor Bob Ferguson, who co-sponsored the successful change. “The original legislation precluded communities not on six main waterways from applying for flood control funding, raising concerns from cities like Seattle and Shoreline that would have invested heavily with little return. Now all cities with flood protection needs can compete for this opportunity fund to address their local flooding issues.”

“This countywide district replaces an uncoordinated series of a dozen local flood control authorities,” said Supervisor Dow Constantine, another amendment co-sponsor. “By addressing this issue regionally, King County can make immediate fixes to problem areas in our flood control system, can plan for coordinated future improvements, and can fund these important projects that protect our communities and our economy. I have co-authored an amendment to create an opportunity fund, so that cities can apply to fund unanticipated projects.”

A one-day shutdown of economic activity within King County’s floodplains would cost the region a minimum of $46 million in economic output, according to a recent analysis by ECONorthwest, Inc. The report estimates that flood levees protect 65,000 jobs generating annual wages exceeding $3.7 billion within King County floodplains. King County has more than 25,000 acres within the mapped, 100-year floodplain, or more than 40-square miles. The cities in the vicinity of the Green River alone comprise the largest single industrial area in the state of Washington.

Flooding during November 2006 marked the eighth federally declared flood disaster since 1990 and alone caused an estimated $33 million in damage to the levees and other facilities that comprise King County’s first and best line of defense against catastrophic flooding.

“All of South King County will be well served by the Flood Control Zone District,” said Supervisor Pete von Reichbauer. “Whether one lives in a flood plain or not, the Flood Control Zone District will prevent the devastating and catastrophic impacts that flooding has on this region’s people, communities, and businesses.”

“After the winter storms and subsequent floods just last year, it was clear that we desperately needed to re-evaluate the strength of our levy and flood protection infrastructure,” said Supervisor Julia Patterson. “Our vote today will renew our region’s confidence in our post-flood resiliency because we will restore and strengthen all of the most vulnerable points on our waterways.”

“This flood control district is crucial to protecting homes and businesses along the Cedar River in District Nine,” said Supervisor Reagan Dunn. “The Cedar River runs alongside and flows into major urban centers that are crucial to the economic well-being of all of King County. I would have preferred a lower tax, but it is imperative that these centers are protected.”

Property owners and local government leaders urged Supervisors to enact the plan and funding at a public hearing Nov. 6.

All 9 members of the King County Council sit as the FCZD Board of Supervisors. The Council created the FCZD on April 16 to replace 12 separate districts that addressed areas of localized flooding, with little or no coordination between them. The FCZD assumed the implementation the 2007 budget and work plan adopted by the one district which did have a budget, the subsequently-dissolved Green River Flood Control Zone District.

Learn more about the King County Flood Control Zone District