HomeMy WebLinkAboutPacket Water Work Session Nov 15 2022Whatcom County
Council Water Work Session
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
10:30 AM
Civic Center Building Garden Room
HYBRID MEETING - (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN
INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL
360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
Ben Elenbaas
Carol Frazey
Kaylee Galloway
Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Water Work Session Meeting Agenda November 15, 2022
Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements
Individuals who require special assistance to participate in the Council's meetings are asked to contact
the Council Office at 360.778.5010 at least 96 hours in advance.
Water Resources Update
River & Flood Program Update
Lake Whatcom Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP) Update
Discussion with WRIA 1 Planning Unit
Other Business
Adjournment
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 211212024
WHATCOM COUNTY
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
ELIZABETH KOSA
Interim Director
MEMORANDUM
NATURAL RESOURCES
322 N. Commercial Street, Suite 110
Bellingham, WA 98225
Telephone: (360) 778-6230
FAX: (360) 778-6231
www. whatcomcounty. us
TO: The Honorable Satpal Singh Sidhu, Whatcom County Executive, and
Honorable Members of the Whatcom County Council
THROUGH: Elizabeth Kosa, Interim Director
FROM: Gary S. Stoyka, Natural Resources Program Manager
DATE: November 8, 2022
RE: November 15, 2022 Council Water Work Session
Please refer to the proposed agenda below for the next Water Work Session. Additional supporting
documents may be distributed at or before the meeting.
AGENDA
Date:
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Time:
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place:
Hybrid Meeting:
In Person: Civic Center Garden Level Conference Room
Virtual: For instructions on how to watch or participate in this meeting, please visit us at
www.whatcomcounty.us/ioinvirtualcouncil or contact the Council Office at 360.778.5010. View
meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, videos, and archives at www.whatcom.legistar.com.
Time
Topic
Council Action
Background Information
Requested
Attached
10:30 AM —
Water Resources Update
Informational
None
10:45 AM
10:45 AM —
River & Flood Program Update
Informational
None
11:15 AM
11:15 AM —
Lake Whatcom Homeowner Incentive
Informational
None
11:30 AM
Program (HIP) Update
11:30 AM —
Discussion with WRIA 1 Planning Unit
Discussion
None
12:00 PM
If you have questions, please feel free to call me at (360) 778-6218.
cc:
Dana Brown -Davis
Kristi Felbinger
Jill Nixon
Jennifer Schneider
Karen Frakes
Erika Douglas
John Thompson
Paula Harris
Barb Thompson
Kraig Olason
Cathy Craver
Jim Karcher
Doug Ranney
Melissa Donnelly
Bennett Knox
Roland Middleton
Mark Personius
Josh Fleischmann
Tyler Schroeder
Sue Sullivan
Brandy Reed
Chris Elder
Erin Page
Lake Whatcom Homeowner
Incentive Program Update
Whatcom County Council
Water Work Session
November 15, 2022
Brief HIP History
➢HIP Pilot (HIP 1.0) 2011-2015
o WA State Dept. Ecology Grant funded
o Basin 1 (mostly)
016 BMPs, single program
o City &County staffed
➢HIP 2.0 2017-2020
o City funded with $100,000 from County
(Flood Fund)
o Basins 1 & 2
0 5 BMPs, two-tier program
o Whatcom Conservation District staffed +
City + County
Brief HIP History
➢2021 Program Changes
o County funds County HIP
o 50/50 Flood Fund & Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility
o Similar but different programs County and City
o Streamlined and simplified
o Expands to Basin 3
o Single program for all + larger project options for
shoreline
o Focus on native landscaping
o Reduced barriers
o Maintenance agreement only
o Options for labor reimbursement
2021-2022 County HIP Update
➢Interest > staff capacity
o —200 inquiries via website 2021-2022
0 32 new participants in 2021
011 new participants spring 2022
o April 2022 pause on new sign ups
➢Focus on helping homeowners complete projects
➢Neighborhood Native Landscaping Pilot
o Test new model designed to reduce barriers to completing projects
o Offered to select HIP participants in Sudden Valley
o4 households
o—14,000 ft2
o Also piloted in Birch Bay watershed
HIP Challenges
➢Many interested homeowners engage but never complete a project
o > 7 homeowners engaged: 1 completed project (2017-2020)
o Similar trend observed 2021-2022
o Hard to overcome barriers to participation
0 35% homeowners with cancelled projects report challenges with cost, time,
other priorities, complexity
➢Significant staff resources required
0^'0.6- 1.0 FTE Whatcom Conservation District
0 0.25-0.5 FTE Whatcom County
Neighborhood Native Landscaping Pilot
➢Same end result
o Native Landscaping BMP
o Maintenance agreement
➢Easier for homeowner
o Plans, permits provided
o Mulch, plants provided
o No reimbursement process
➢Promotes watershed stewardship
o Planting party; neighborhood cluster
➢Ensures project completion
o Improves return on investment of staff
resources
Average area
improved/year
(County 2017-2021)
Annual program
cost/ft2 improved
(City &County
2017-2020)
Reimbursement
IO ;
31,674 ft2
$3.50 - $4.50
$1.3 O/ft2
Proposed area
improved/year
(2023)
Annual program
cost/ft2 improved
(proposed 2023
scope of work)
Materials cost
(2022 pilot actual
costs)
20,000 ft2
$1.45/ft2
2023 Plan
➢Work with engaged homeowners to complete HIP projects
o Close out all by end 2024
o ^'35 eligible participants
➢Transition to Neighborhood Native Landscaping Project Model
o 2023 target 20,000 ft2
o Evaluate and set 2024 targets
➢Initiate Private Stormwater System (PSS) Retrofits Program
o Evaluate 4-5 high priority systems for water quality improvement potential
o Subwatershed Master Plan Evaluation
➢Evaluate PSS systems in Lake Whatcom subasins with subwatershed
master planning
Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility
➢Funding study (2018-2019) identified a need for HIP /Residential
Stormwater Retrofits
o Included future neighborhood -scale retrofits of stormwater facilities
➢2023 plan includes HIP, Neighborhood Native Landscaping, and
neighborhood -scale retrofits
Questions?
Flow Split
Charrette Tradeoffs
& Implementation
Workshop Update
Water Work Session
November 15, 2022
Fraser Watershed & Nooksack Watershed ide
Nooksack River/
Everson Oveflow
Flow Split
Charrette Agenda
• Field Trip
• Shared values and givens
• Sharing on cultural importance,
hydrology and geomorphology
of system
• Values as success measures
• Idea generation
• Develop project concepts
• Present table concepts
The Need is Magnitudes Greater than
Staff or Funding Capacity
Teamwork, Sequencing and Focus Critical
Flow Split Values
• Safety
• Long-term durable
• Equity
• Ecosystem Health
• Collaboration
• Structures that Serve
• Balance actions/ planning/
science/practicality
• People/home/community/ family
• Nimble and adaptable
• Agriculture
IDEAS SENT TO
CHARRETTE TABLES:
• Water Storage
• Education and Learning
• Overflow Corridors
• Funding/Financial Assistance/Buyouts
• Land Use Planning
• Habitat Restoration
• New Levees
• Infrastructure Relocation
• Emergency Response and Access
• Sediment Management/Levee
setbacks/ Side channels
• Immediate Actions
:r-r.ffM ir
Ring dikes around
Everson and Nooksack
and Sumas
Sumas River storage
(upstream or in
corridor)
Twin View levee
setback/lowering
Channel reconnections
— near Lagerway
dike/Everson area and
Scott Ditch
Acquisition and
elevation program
Raise Emerson Road —
evaluate impacts in
both corridors and
feasibility
Widen corridor near
pipeline upstream of
Everson (pipeline
needs deeper burial)
ELJ's upstream of
Everson to increase
sediment storage and
improve habitat
Raise E-W overflow
corridor roads to store
more water (Everson
Main St to Clearbrook
Rd, Badger)
Dry bridge expansion at
Everson bridge
(WSDOT)
Controlled overflow
near church to head of
Scott Ditch
Sediment management
�,. .._..
Post-Charrette Work
• Reviewed table concepts from the
Flow Split Charrette and other related
activities given the system -wide
nature of the flow split issue
• Synthesized into draft strategies that
establish overall direction/guidance
resulting from design charrette
• Developed buckets of actions to
implement that direction/guidance
Draft OverarchingStrategies
(to Achieve FLIP Goals and Flow Split Values)
A. Reduce flood risk in the Everson - C. Improve overall communication,
Sumas overflow corridor without
increasing risk downstream of
Everson
B. Reduce flood risk throughout the
Nooksack floodplain and improve
habitat in the mainstem
engagement and education
D. Increase amount and stability of funding
and strengthen cross -border collaboration
Draft Buckets of Actions
(to Achieve Strategies)
#1 Improvements to emergency response, coordination
and communication
#2 Early action projects — side channel enhancement
pilot project
#3 Acquisition and elevation assistance program
#4 Technical work and flood risk reduction alternatives analysis
#5 Implement components of preferred suite of actions
#6 Land use planning/rezoning/regulation
#7 Increase amount and stability of funding and strengthen
cross -border collaboration
#8 Communication, education and public engagement
q
Draft Overarching
Strategies
(to Achieve FLIP Goals and Flow Split Values)
A. Reduce flood risk in the Everson -
Sumas overflow corridor without
transferring risk
B. Reduce flood risk and improve
habitat throughout the mainstem
floodplain
Draft Action Buckets
(to Achieve Strategies)
#1 Improve emergency response, coordination and
communication
#2 Early action projects — side channel enhancement
pilot project
#3 Acquisition and elevation assistance program
#4 Technical work and flood risk reduction
alternatives analysis
#5 Implement components of preferred suite of actions
#6 Land use planning/rezoning/regulation improvements
Draft Overarching
Strategies
(to Achieve FLIP Goals and Flow Split Values)
C. Increase amount and stability of funding
and strengthen cross -border
collaboration
D. Improve overall communication,
engagement and education
Draft Action Buckets
(to Achieve Strategies)
#7 Increase amount and stability of
funding and strengthen cross -border
collaboration
#8 Communication, education and
public engagement
#1 Improve Emergency Response,
Coordination and Communication
Install road closure gates at 3 roadways subject to high velocity flow (Emerson, Halverstick, and Main
St — Complete by November 30t", 2022
Or --
Improve Improve Search and Rescue capabilities (capacity and swift water rescue) - COMPLETE
Preplall.Preplan emergency shelter locations and logistics - COMPLETE
Strengthen interagency (EMD/WC/Small Cities ) communication and public messaging during floods — Complete by
October 12, 2022
• Standardize briefing format for key leaders and response agencies
• Consistent public messaging across jurisdictions
• Develop protocols for evacuations (3 levels — Ready, Set, Go) — Complete by October 31, 2022
Formalize Formalize coordination with Canadian agencies during floods — Complete by November 1, 2022
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#3 Acquisition and Elevation
Assistance Program
Don't rebuild
some houses
(Dec 21)
Hire consultant
(Jan 22)
Apply for HMGP grants
(Apr, Aug 22)
WE ARE
HERE
Implement Program
(Ongoing)
W
Ring dikes around
Everson and Nooksack
and Sumas
Sumas River storage
(upstream or in
corridor)
Twin View levee
setback/lowering
Channel reconnections
— near Lagerway
dike/Everson area and
Scott Ditch
Acquisition and
elevation program
Raise Emerson Road —
evaluate impacts in both
corridors and feasibility
Widen corridor near
pipeline upstream of
Everson (pipeline needs
deeper burial)
ELJ's upstream of
Everson to increase
sediment storage and
improve habitat
Raise E-W overflow
corridor roads to store
more water (Everson
Main St to Clearbrook
Rd, Badger)
Dry bridge expansion at
Everson bridge (WSDOT)
Controlled overflow
near church to head of
Scott Ditch
Sediment management
#4 Technical
Work and
Alternatives
Analysis
Increase County flood staff capacity
Update hydraulic model with new
bathymetry and roughness values
Update hydrology for Sumas River and
lower Nooksack tributaries
Calibrate model to 2020 and 2021 floods
Concept design of potential flood risk
reduction and habitat improvement
projects
Hydraulic modeling and evaluation of
alternatives
Ongoing coordination with FLIP Teams
and Canadians
Selection of preferred suite of project
actions
UNDERWAY — market dependent
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Complete by December 2022
Complete by December 2022
Initial Work Complete by December 2022
Initial Work Complete by April 2023
ONGOING
Dependent on International Initiative
process
#5 Implement
Components
of Preferred
Suite of
Actions
TASK (leadin
Select Preferred Suite of Actions (Decision -makers)
Advance concept design to inform total cost (funding needed), regulatory
requirements, and additional information needs (FCZD and partners)
Acquire lands/easements needed to construct capital projects (Cities, FCZD and
other partners)
Develop detailed design plans and phased approach for construction (FCZD)
Implement phased construction of component projects
(FCZD and partners?)
#6 Land Use Planning/Rezoning/Regulation
Comprehensive
Planning: Review Urban
Growth Areas (UGA) for
Small Cities in light of new
floodplain mapping and
preferred alternatives
Development Code:
Consider requiring
additional freeboard for
residential structures in
the 100 year floodplain
Work with property owners
to comply with National
Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) requirements
Mk,
Develop Substantial
Damage Determination
plan for future floods —
Whatcom County in
process
#7 Increase
Amount and
Stability of Funding
and Strengthen
Cross -Border
Ties
Brought Ecology staff and small Cities onto
FLIPSC - COMPLETED
Ecology and the Governor's office are leading
coordination with officials in British Columbia on a
cross -border Nooksack initiative focused on
building shared solutions — IN PROCESS
Ecology is proposing a direct allocation for the
Nooksack basin in the 2023-25 biennium to ensure
seamless continuation and improved robustness of
FLIP work — IN PROCESS
Once a preferred suite of actions is selected, the
scale of the capital investment need can better be
determined (2023?)
• Emergency communications — response agencies and
general public
• Coordination between County, Cities, Tribes, Canadian
entities and other first responders
#Q • Public messaging
Communication, • Enhance existing public outreach and education —
Whatcom County and Cities
Education & • Newsletters, mailings, website, social media, etc.
Public • FLIP engagement public and education
p
Engagement • FLIP Team and Reach Teams meetings
• StoryMap
• Quarterly FLIP Team updates
• Strategic public outreach and engagement plan
• Public forums
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Next Steps
• Regular email updates to Flow Split
Team on technical work progress
• Late Spring Flow Split Team meeting to
update group on progress
• Bring results of technical analyses of
alternatives and proposed evaluation
criteria based on values back to Flow
Split Team
• Summarize feedback and ideas received
from Flow Split Team
• Conduct public forum to present
alternatives analysis and feedback from
Flow Split Team and receive community
feedback
• Technical team to incorporate feedback and
develop revised `community -preferred suite
of actions'
• Coordinate with international initiative