Pacific Right Bank Flood Protection Project: Enhancing Flood Safety and the Environment in Pacific

Steven SchauerUncategorized

By Steven Schauer, Deputy Executive Director and King County staff

The King County Flood Control District (KCFCD), together with King County as service provider, is proposing the Pacific Right Bank Flood Protection Project, a vital initiative aimed at significantly reducing the risk of flooding in the City of Pacific. Beyond flood risk reduction, this project seeks to enhance environmental conditions and examine recreational opportunities and various multibenefits along this stretch of the White River.

Supervisor Pete von Reichbauer

“The King County Flood Control District is committed to working closely with King County and the community to ensure that this new flood protection facility meets the needs of residents and achieves the project goals,” said Supervisor Pete von Reichbauer. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in reducing flood risk and promoting environmental stewardship in the City of Pacific along the White River.”

The Need for the Project

2009 Flooding in City of Pacific. Credit: King County.

In January 2009, the White River flooding caused extensive damage to homes and forced residents to evacuate. This event underscored the necessity for a robust flood risk reduction project to reduce flood risks in Pacific and improve environmental conditions along the White River.

Currently, limited flood protection is provided by HESCO barriers—wire mesh and fabric baskets filled with sand—installed post-2009 flood. These barriers, however, are aging and in need of replacement. Additionally, the KCFCD and City of Pacific installed a mobile pumping system on Government Canal in 2016 to prevent flooding by moving water out of the canal when river levels rise. Despite this, moderate floods can still overwhelm the system, causing street and property flooding.

Pacific City Park, situated between the HESCO barriers and the river, also faces seasonal closures due to flood risks and wet conditions. The park, built on top a former municipal garbage dumpsite, risks erosion and contamination if left unchecked.

2006 Flooding in Pacific City Park Credit: King County.
2009 Flooding In Pacific City Park. Credit: King County.
2006 Flooding in Pacific City Park Credit: King County.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

King County, on behalf of the KCFCD, prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) to analyze the project’s alternatives, potential benefits, and impacts. This project would have significant impacts on the environment. These impacts are studied in the Draft EIS, including:

No Action (Alternative 1):

  • Higher flood risk compared to the other alternatives.
  • Increased erosion risk, potentially damaging Pacific City Park infrastructure.
  • Potential contamination of river water from eroding dumpsite waste.
  • Seasonal park closures due to flood risks.
  • Frequent Government Canal closures impacting fish during floods.
Pacific Right Bank Flood Protection Project Alternatives

Common Impacts (Alternatives 2 – 5):

  • Extended park closures during construction (2-5 years).
  • Reduced recreation space but increased year-round recreational areas.
  • Loss of some wetland habitat and tree removal.
  • Fish passage prevention during flood pump station operations.
  • Alternatives 3 and 5 eliminate the use of Third Place SE.

Strategies for Reducing Impacts:

  • Identifying alternative recreation facilities during construction.
  • Creating wetlands for amphibians and preserving large trees.
  • Enhancing fish habitat by reconnecting floodplains.
  • Developing permanent parking areas for Alternatives 3 and 5.

Benefits (Alternatives 2 – 5):

  • Flood protection up to a 100-year recurrence flood.
  • Enhanced floodplain and wetland functions.
  • Improved fish and wildlife habitat, including benefits for endangered salmon species.
  • Cleaned or capped dumpsite waste.
  • Upgraded pump station on Government Canal.
  • Year-round park access and recreational opportunities.
  • New open spaces for wildlife viewing and bird watching.
  • Improved views from the new levee.
  • Reduced flood risk for vulnerable communities.

Dumpsite Cleanup Options

There are four options under consideration for cleaning up the dumpsite under the park:

  1. Option A: No action, monitoring the current dumpsite.
  2. Option B: Excavating beneath and riverward of a setback levee and disposing offsite all dangerous and solid waste, then capping remaining waste.
  3. Option C: Excavating beneath and riverward of a setback levee and disposing offsite solid and dangerous waste, relocating some solid waste to the landward side, then capping it.
  4. Option D: Removing and disposing of all dumpsite waste offsite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pacific Right Bank Flood Protection Project Area
  1. Purpose of the Project: To reduce flood risks and improve environmental conditions along the White River in Pacific, including remediation of a dumpsite and habitat restoration for endangered Chinook salmon. Recreational opportunities and other benefits to people and wildlife will be implemented where feasible. 
  2. HESCO Barriers Removal: The barriers will be removed as the new flood protection project is constructed.
  3. EIS Purpose: To evaluate the project’s potential impacts and gather public feedback to inform project decisions.
  4. Project Design and Levee Location: The final design and location will be determined by the KCFCD through technical analyses by King County and public input.
  5. Groundwater Issues: The project addresses river-related flooding, not groundwater infiltration.
  6. Countyline Project Precedence: The Countyline Levee Setback Project was constructed earlier to provide immediate flood risk reduction and allow time for investigation of the dumpsite.
  7. Construction Timeline: Construction is expected to begin in 2028 and will span several years.
  8. Dredging as a Solution: Dredging is not a viable long-term solution due to environmental impacts and frequent and costly mitigation requirements.
  9. Dumpsite Waste: The waste includes municipal waste and dredge soils. Investigations have been ongoing since 2016.
  10. River Views: Current views will change, with the extent depending on the selected project alternative.
  11. Park Accessibility: The park will be accessible during dry seasons until construction begins. Temporary and future impacts are under evaluation.
  12. Project Impacts on the Park: The EIS will assess potential project impacts and mitigation strategies.
  13. Property Buyouts: The project focuses on acquiring necessary land areas and considers alternatives to minimize acquisitions.

View the Draft EIS

To learn more and review the Draft EIS, visit the project’s online open house.

Hard copies of the Draft EIS are available for public viewing at the following locations.

King County Customer Service Center South Lobby

201 S. Jackson St, Second Floor

Seattle, WA 98104

Open weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

City of Pacific City Hall

100 3rd Ave Southeast

Pacific WA 98047

(253) 929-1100

Algona-Pacific Library

255 Ellingson Road,

Pacific, WA 98047

(253) 833-3554

Public Input

Public feedback is encouraged to shape the project and address community concerns. Please share your comments on the information in the Draft EIS. Your feedback will help inform the project design.

The public comment period for this project is open from October 24, 2024 to December 13, 2024. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. PST on December 13, 2024.

Submit comments:

For more information, contact Mary Strazer, Project Manager at mstrazer@nullkingcounty.gov or 206-263-5817.