History & Background
Dense development has modified this area from one of agricultural use years ago to a dense residential area with few remaining open parcels. Floodplain maps from 1974 did not include this area in the mapping project (this area is currently being remapped with FEMA and Washington State Department of Ecology assistance). There are few remaining areas available to re-locate Shaw Creek or a bypass channel. The proposed location is on property that is undeveloped at this time.
Shaw Creek is a tributary to Wide Hollow Creek and ultimately contributes flood flows to Wide Hollow Creek. The section of Wide Hollow Creek from the road crossings at South 80th Avenue and South 72nd Avenue has had historical flooding problems due to constrictions in the channel and at the bridge. The project will ensure capacity up to a 100-year flood event for Shaw Creek, protecting several developments including Cottonwood Grove, Clinton Way & Westbrook Additions. Development pressure in this area is high and continued pressure will likely remove the option to relocate Shaw Creek or construct a bypass channel for it. The proposed mitigation project will remove a large area out of the floodplain and floodway and will protect existing residential developments from flooding.
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife requested to relocate Shaw Creek instead of a constructing a bypass. Relocating Shaw Creek would improve water quality and fish habitat in Wide Hollow Creek resulting in a healthier creek. The current location of Shaw Creek, parallel and to the south Tieton Drive and along South 80th Avenue, is a result of a relocation of Shaw Creek many years ago to facilitate irrigation in the area. The physical difference between a Shaw Creek “relocation” concept and a “bypass channel” concept is minimal; the alignment is nearly the same. However, there will be additional natural vegetation within the Shaw Creek relocation, including a forked channel at the bottom end. These alternatives were evaluated in the Environmental Assessment process.
In 2008, the public involvement process for this flood mitigation project was initiated with 2 public meetings held on June 9th and 10th at the Cottonwood Junior High School to share flood mapping information, develop alternatives, and gather citizen input and comments.
Following the public meetings in 2008, Yakima County submitted an HMGP (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program) grant request to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the Washington State Emergency Management Division to address these flooding problems, but the grant proposal was rejected due to insufficient data.
In 2010, Yakima County submitted a Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) grant request for flooding in this area, and this grant proposal was also rejected for the above-mentioned reasons.
In 2011, Yakima County again submitted a PDM grant proposal to FEMA for funding of the same project, but Yakima County had collected additional survey information on depths of flooding for specific houses which allowed an improved grant proposal and a more accurate benefit-cost analysis.
In early 2012, FEMA approved the project for funding, contingent on completing the necessary environmental requirements, and selecting a preferred alternative during the NEPA process. The Environmental Assessment process and the cultural resource survey were completed. The hydraulic analysis and preliminary design were completed by West Consultants Inc.
In 2012 and 2013, representatives from Yakima County Water Resources Division started contacting landowners in the project area to discuss the project and their willingness to sell either an easement or a portion of their land for the Shaw Creek relocation. The PDM grant provides funding for purchases at fair market value from willing sellers. Additional meetings with individual landowners will continue through the planning process.
The original PDM grant request was submitted for $2,267,000 of total funding. The funding request includes funds for feasibility studies, environmental studies, engineering and design studies, property acquisitions, and flood control structures including the Shaw Creek relocation or bypass channel, conveyance improvements within Wide Hollow Creek, and bridge design and construction. The funds for the grant were released by FEMA after all of the environmental surveys were completed and the Environmental Assessment process had selected a preferred alternative.
Tributary
Shaw Creek is a tributary to Wide Hollow Creek and ultimately contributes flood flows to Wide Hollow Creek. The section of Wide Hollow Creek from the road crossings at South 80th Avenue and South 72nd Avenue has had historical flooding problems due to constrictions in the channel and at the bridge. The project will ensure capacity up to a 100-year flood event for Shaw Creek, protecting several developments including Cottonwood Grove, Clinton Way & Westbrook Additions. Development pressure in this area is high and continued pressure will likely remove the option to relocate Shaw Creek or construct a bypass channel for it. The proposed mitigation project will remove a large area out of the floodplain and floodway and will protect existing residential developments from flooding.
Relocation
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife requested to relocate Shaw Creek instead of a constructing a bypass. Relocating Shaw Creek would improve water quality and fish habitat in Wide Hollow Creek resulting in a healthier creek. The current location of Shaw Creek, parallel and to the south Tieton Drive and along South 80th Avenue, is a result of a relocation of Shaw Creek many years ago to facilitate irrigation in the area. The physical difference between a Shaw Creek “relocation” concept and a “bypass channel” concept is minimal; the alignment is nearly the same. However, there will be additional natural vegetation within the Shaw Creek relocation, including a forked channel at the bottom end. These alternatives were evaluated in the Environmental Assessment process.
Public Involvement
In 2008, the public involvement process for this flood mitigation project was initiated with 2 public meetings held on June 9th and 10th at the Cottonwood Junior High School to share flood mapping information, develop alternatives, and gather citizen input and comments.
Following the public meetings in 2008, Yakima County submitted an HMGP (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program) grant request to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the Washington State Emergency Management Division to address these flooding problems, but the grant proposal was rejected due to insufficient data.
Mitigation
In 2010, Yakima County submitted a Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) grant request for flooding in this area, and this grant proposal was also rejected for the above-mentioned reasons.
In 2011, Yakima County again submitted a PDM grant proposal to FEMA for funding of the same project, but Yakima County had collected additional survey information on depths of flooding for specific houses which allowed an improved grant proposal and a more accurate benefit-cost analysis.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Approval
In early 2012, FEMA approved the project for funding, contingent on completing the necessary environmental requirements, and selecting a preferred alternative during the NEPA process. The Environmental Assessment process and the cultural resource survey were completed. The hydraulic analysis and preliminary design were completed by West Consultants Inc.
Yakima County Water Resources Division
In 2012 and 2013, representatives from Yakima County Water Resources Division started contacting landowners in the project area to discuss the project and their willingness to sell either an easement or a portion of their land for the Shaw Creek relocation. The PDM grant provides funding for purchases at fair market value from willing sellers. Additional meetings with individual landowners will continue through the planning process.
Funding
The original PDM grant request was submitted for $2,267,000 of total funding. The funding request includes funds for feasibility studies, environmental studies, engineering and design studies, property acquisitions, and flood control structures including the Shaw Creek relocation or bypass channel, conveyance improvements within Wide Hollow Creek, and bridge design and construction. The funds for the grant were released by FEMA after all of the environmental surveys were completed and the Environmental Assessment process had selected a preferred alternative.