County hosts flood hazard management plan meeting
June 18, 2013
The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Water and Land Resources Division, on behalf of the King County Flood Control District, is updating the flood management plan, which guides management of regionally significant river and stream flooding to:
- Reduce risks from flood and channel migration hazards.
- Avoid or minimize the environmental impacts of flood hazard management.
- Reduce the long-term costs of flood hazard management.
King County Flood Control District preserves dollars for salmon projects
June 19, 2012
Issaquah salmon-restoration projects could garner grant dollars after all, even though a lawsuit threatened to cut off funds for conservation projects countywide.
King County Flood Control District leaders decided to fund salmon-recovery projects after the King Conservation District stopped doling out grants amid a legal challenge.
Flood Control District officials approved $3 million May 14 for projects to improve water quality, protect and restore habitat, and support salmon recovery efforts. King County Council members sit as the executive board for the Flood Control District.
The decision is meant to plug a gap left after the King Conservation District halted a separate process to issue salmon-recovery grants. Read more
County leaders ask lawmakers to preserve roads, services
January 31, 2012
In a broad agenda for the ongoing legislative session, King County leaders pledged to work alongside state lawmakers to preserve funding for human services, preserve roads and consolidate some local government operations.
The plan comes from the King County Council as legislators in Olympia must close a $1.5 billion budget gap. Local leaders raised concerns about cuts to services and transportation — perpetual concerns as lawmakers trimmed spending in recent years.
“A growing number of county residents are now accessing services and agencies that are facing devastating cuts in Olympia,” council Chairman Larry Gossett said in a statement. “This will be one of the most difficult legislative sessions ever, so it is vital that King County speak in a clear voice about our priorities regarding human services and transportation.”
County leaders develop a state legislative agenda to decide on the positions most important to bring to the attention of the Legislature. The plan combines input from council members and County Executive Dow Constantine.
The council adopted a legislative agenda Jan. 17. Legislators gathered in Olympia for the 60-day session Jan. 9.
King County leaders ask lawmakers to preserve roads, services
January 30, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Jan. 30, 2012
In a broad agenda for the ongoing legislative session, King County leaders pledged to work alongside state lawmakers to preserve funding for human services, preserve roads and consolidate some local government operations.
The plan comes from the King County Council as legislators in Olympia must close a $1.5 billion budget gap. Local leaders raised concerns about cuts to services and transportation — perpetual concerns as lawmakers trimmed spending in recent years.
“A growing number of county residents are now accessing services and agencies that are facing devastating cuts in Olympia,” council Chairman Larry Gossett said in a statement. “This will be one of the most difficult legislative sessions ever, so it is vital that King County speak in a clear voice about our priorities regarding human services and transportation.”
State shores up King County Flood Control District funding
May 10, 2011
King County leaders praised state legislators and Gov. Chris Gregoire last week for supporting a measure to shore up funding for the King County Flood Control District, the agency responsible for flood-protection policies, programs and projects.
Gregoire signed a measure May 5 to protect funding for the district. The bill exempts the district from the statewide property rate tax cap by protecting up to 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The exemption is in effect from next year until 2017.
Until the governor signed the measure, the district faced a steep drop-off in funding due to the decline in housing values and a state cap on property tax rates.
“We worked together as a region to preserve this important tool that will protect people and businesses throughout King County from floods,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a statement. “I am pleased to see the overwhelming support in the state Legislature for this bill, and I thank Gov. Gregoire for signing it today.”
The district collects 11 cents per $1,000 in assessed value and uses the dollars to fund flood-control efforts.
State shores up funding for King County Flood Control District
May 6, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. May 6, 2011
King County leaders praised state legislators and Gov. Chris Gregoire for supporting a measure to shore up funding for the King County Flood Control District, the agency responsible for flood-protection policies, programs and projects.
Gregoire signed a measure Thursday to protect funding for the district. The bill exempts the district from the statewide property rate tax cap by protecting up to 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The exemption is in effect from next year until 2017.
Until the governor signed the measure, the district faced a steep drop-off in funding due to the decline in housing values and a state cap on property tax rates.
King County urges legislators to protect funds for social safety net
January 5, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. Jan. 5, 2011
King County Council members called on state lawmakers to maintain a basic social safety net and to secure a stable funding source for public transportation in the upcoming legislative session. County leaders also seek relief from a state tax ceiling, because the threshold could impact dollars for flood control.
The issues top the legislative agenda adopted by the council Monday.
“This is an ambitious agenda that acknowledges the budget realities facing both King County and the state,” council Chairman Larry Gossett said in a statement. “We realize that because of the state deficit, all state funding is on the chopping block. Our goal with this agenda is to work with the Legislature on revenue ideas that don’t depend on additional resources from Olympia.”
State legislators convene at the Capitol on Jan. 10 for the 105-day session. The state faces a $4.6 billion hole in the 2011-13 budget.
King County highlights flooding alert program
November 2, 2010
King County launched the countywide Flood Warning Program in 1960. In the decades since, the program has provided automated flood alerts and river level information to residents. The system operates continuously during a flood. Flood Warning Program employees also monitor river levels on site during flood events.
King County Council members highlighted the program Nov. 1 for a half-century of protecting residents during floods.
The program is part of the county Flood Control District. Staffers from the county Water and Land Resources Division run the program.
“New technology has improved the speed and accuracy of receiving and distributing flooding data, and demonstrates the value of maintaining this system,” County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, the Issaquah-area representative, said in a statement. “This information system allows citizens, businesses and public agencies to make critical safety and economic decisions, such as sand-bagging or evacuation, during flood events.”
County offers deluge of information to stay safe during floods
October 13, 2010
NEW — 1 p.m. Oct. 13, 2010
Before seasonal rain starts to soak the region, leaders joined together to remind King County residents of the potential for floods, and to mark Flood Awareness Month.
The county established a system 40 years ago to alert floodplain residents to danger.
“It is a credit to our leaders a half a century ago to understand the need, particularly in light of the increased demand to develop land for neighborhoods and business areas, for the county’s first flood warning system,” County Executive Dow Constantine said in a news release.
Leaders reminded residents in flood-prone areas to take steps to prepare for nasty winter weather and to sign up for automated flood alerts.
Learn about disaster risks and ways to prepare March 4
February 23, 2010
King County Flood Control District officials will outline ways to reduce risks for people who live in or near floodplains during a March 4 meeting in Issaquah. Read more
