(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that she will be
hosting a major meeting of state and federal officials tomorrow, May 6, 2010,
to push for expedited design and funding for interim and permanent repairs to
the federal Howard Hanson Dam that would significantly reduce the threat of
flooding to the Green River Valley.
Senator
Murray is bringing together members of the Washington state delegation,
Governor Gregoire, local officials, and members of the local business community
to meet with leaders of the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA to share the
economic impact of the vulnerability of Howard Hanson Dam and to discuss
related issues. Senator Murray has also secured a meeting for the Washington
state officials with key White House advisor Valerie Jarrett to discuss the
issue.
“Families
and small business owners in the Green River Valley are depending on us to find
a way to get together to fix the Howard Hanson Dam,” said Senator Patty
Murray. “I asked everyone to come to D.C to sit down and have a
wide-ranging conversation about the challenges we face and the quick action
needed protect Green River communities.”
The
Army Corps manages the dam and has been working to repair damage that occurred
to an abutment to the dam in January 2009, which prevents the dam from
operating at full capacity in the event of a storm.
In
March, the Corps proposed undertaking interim grout work to the dam that would
reduce the flood risk from 1 in 25 to historic levels of 1 in 140 while a
permanent repair could be designed and constructed. The interim measure
would cost $44 million, funding for which has not yet been secured.
“We
need to ensure that we are taking every measure possible to protect people’s
lives, their property and their place of business,” Governor Gregoire said.
“Our communities and our economy depend on that. I continue to make the case to
our Congressional delegation that we can’t delay—we need appropriate funding
now to complete interim and permanent repairs to the Howard Hanson Dam. I thank
our Congressional delegation, especially Senator Patty Murray for inviting us here
to listen to our concerns.”
“Time
is of the essence,” said Executive Dow Constantine. “Funding for an
interim repair will reduce the threat now hanging over residents and businesses
of the Green River Valley and return this federally-owned dam, at least
temporarily, back to the capacity it had before it was damaged. At the
same time, we urge President Obama to include funding for a permanent fix in
the 2012 federal budget.”
“The
threat of flooding in the valley has already created uncertainty and fear for
residents, cost millions of dollars in emergency management preparations and
hindered economic growth in the region,” said King County Councilmember
Julia Patterson, who represents three cities in the Green River Valley and
is also Chair of the King County Flood Control District. “Reducing this risk
requires our federal representatives to find funding for interim repairs to the
dam as we prepare for another flood season that is quickly approaching. In
turn, long-term protection for the safety and vitality of the region will
depend on the federal government’s ability to expedite the completion of the
remaining repairs.”
Also
attending Senator Murray’s meeting from Washington state are Kent Mayor Suzette
Cooke, Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis, Renton Mayor Denis Law, Tukwila Mayor Jim
Haggerton, and representatives of Boeing, Puget Sound Energy, Puget Sound Blood
Center, and valley property owners.
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