Posted on May 14, 2018
By Rick Nelson, The Wahkiakum County
The stars seem to be aligning for Wahkiakum County’s efforts to obtain dredge spoils for eroding beaches.
County officials, their consulting engineers, and representatives of the US Army Corps of Engineers met last week, and the parties agreed that after some final adjustments, the beach nourishment project permits will be approved.
“It looks like we’re there,” Commissioner Dan Cothren told residents of the Cape Horn zone on Tuesday.
Cothren added that there appears be sand available for Cape Horn and Pancake Point on Puget Island, where erosion is threatening houses and out buildings.
The North Welcome Slough zone needs adjustment, Corps staff said, and wetland mitigation has been an issue there.
At Cape Horn, two culverts will need drainage swales designed to avoid trapping salmonids in high water events; the county’s consultant will draft plans for them.
The Corps has reduced the upstream boundary of the Cape Horn disposal zone because of its steep, rocky shoreline, which is considered fish habitat.
The lack of dredge spoils in that area will impact one family.
“That means I will have to take some action on my own to protect my property,” said John Polworth.
Cothren said he feels the county needs to move forward with the projects that will be permitted this year.
“If something gets left behind, we’ll have to come back to pick it up,” he said.
Source: The Wahkiakum County Eagle
