One year later, flood recovery still has long way to go

DAYTON–The Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) were informed the County Flood Control Zone District has not received any reimbursement for flood damages from FEMA as of the February 2, 2021, meeting. Eaton reported assessments may take another six months before funds are made available. Eaton has utilized County employees to help work on the most immediate locations instead of using a contract force, so as not to impact the budget. Presently, the District owes County Roads for repair work which may have to stop until promised FEMA funds are received.

Eaton said almost a year after the flood, several bridges still need work including Miller, Montgomery, Smith, Baileysburg, Bosley, Trump-North Touchet, Vollmer and Huntsville. In addition, portions of road need repair on the South Patit, Wolf Fork and Robinson Fork. Also, work is needed to separate rock from woody debris from the flood for chipping. Granular debris also needs to be removed from under bridges and on river bars.

The delays are mainly due to permitting issues with various regulatory agencies needing to cooperate. Eaton said that he was in contact with the offices of Senator Patty Murray and RepresentativeCathy McMorris-Rodgers addressing the issue and, to his knowledge, there was a conference call with the senators and the regulatory agencies, particularly addressing the removal of granular debris from the Touchet River.

Commissioner Ryan Rundell confirmed that he had word that progress is being made for obtaining permission. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has objected to the removal of the woody debris on the Tucannon, claiming they need clarification because of concern their projects would be disturbed, according to Eaton.

The Dayton Country Club is officially renamed Touchet Valley Golf and Recreation after approval from the Board of County Commissioners on February 1. The name has already been submitted to the Secretary of Washington State.

Marcene Hendrickson of the Friends of the Fairgrounds (FOF) has contributed to the most recent BOCC meetings about the approval for a grant the FOF received with some help from Public Works Director Chuck Eaton for the renovation of the Pavilion bathrooms. Eaton said that the project will go in three phases. First, demolition, which will begin soon. Then, determine what equipment is needed to purchase. And last will be to hire a contractor to do the work.

Hendrickson and Eaton both agreed the plans should make the bathrooms handicapped accessible both from the inside and outside of the building.

Hendrickson also reported the completion of updates to the Youth Building including adding insulation, sheet rock, adding trim around the doors and epoxy paint on the floors. This was done with grant money awarded from the Warren Fund and Columbia County Fund. She also said that the group has plans to paint and update the kitchen.

Ashley Strickland told the Commissioners when reporting for Emergency Management that the City has not signed the Interlocal Agreement with the County for Emergency Services because they claim to need some clarifications or changes. County Prosecutor Dale Slack has written a letter to the City. The County is scheduled to receive an increased payment for services beginning last month. These payments will need to be brought up to date once the agreement is signed.

Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman reported the County continues to have four active cases of COVID-19. The County has received another 100 doses of the COVID vaccine for which Public Health will be scheduling people to give first and second doses.

"If anybody thinks they are in a B Phase," Lanman said, "please call in to get on the list. If and when we go to Phase B2, I would like enough people on the list that we can go ahead and start scheduling people and are not waiting to fill up the list. Anybody who is interested in the vaccine, call in and we'll figure out what Phase and we'll get you on the list."