Farm Pad project helps protect Snoqualmie Valley farms against flooding

Council votes to extend deadline to complete project

With the success of last year’s demonstration project to help Snoqualmie Valley farms damaged by flooding, the Metropolitan King County Council voted unanimously today to extend the deadline for completion of the project to improve elevated farm pads. The extension of the deadline allows for remaining work on the 10 properties participating in the project to be completed this summer.

Last year, Councilmember Kathy Lambert of Redmond, who represents the Snoqualmie Valley, sponsored the legislation that allowed 10 farmers to test new land-use tools to help prevent further flood damage. The demonstration project that allowed for the improvement of existing livestock sanctuaries, which are raised mounds of earth where livestock, farm equipment and supplies can be kept safely above flood waters temporarily. Ten Snoqualmie Valley farms hit hard by the devastating floods of November 2006 participated in the project.

Because of poor weather conditions last fall, only six of the participants were able to complete construction of their farm pad improvements by the deadline last year. With the passage of this legislation, the four remaining projects will be able to complete their farm pads, which will provide much-needed protection in time for the next flood season.

“King County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan puts a high priority on maintaining the viability of farmland in the Snoqualmie Valley, which is home to the largest agricultural production district in King County,” said Lambert. “The Snoqualmie Valley is subjected to regular flooding that damages crops, drowns livestock and destroys farm equipment, hay, seeds, bulbs and farm supplies. If constructed under these specific standards, farm pads are proven protections against agricultural flood losses that do not exacerbate flooding.”

“We need to finish the remaining four farm pads and complete all preparations for the upcoming flood season,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine, a member of the Council's Growth Management and Natural Resources Committee. “These pads enable farmers to quickly protect livestock and supplies, helping them avoid hundreds of thousands of dollars in flood-related damage.”

In February, a task force reviewing farm pads issued its report recommending the implementation of alternative development standards as well as extension of the farm pad demonstration project to Sept. 30, 2008. The new land-use standards for farm pads remain under review by the Growth Management and Natural Resources Committee before going to the Council for approval this summer. A public hearing on these proposals is scheduled before the full Council on Monday, June 23.

The task force report noted: “The demonstration project was an enormous success . . . Many landowners in the Snoqualmie Valley Agricultural Production District have commented that this project sends a new and crucial message that they will once again be able to expand their operations with confidence they can protect themselves.”

“Allowing projects that specifically address the unique needs of agriculture while still protecting the environment and Valley residents is necessary and makes good sense,” Lambert added. “Supporting local agriculture is at the heart of developing a sustainable community. Locally grown food is fresher, healthier and requires fewer natural resources for transportation and packaging. A productive agricultural district is vital for the future of our region and our quality of life.”

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system.
Type in “2008-0269”