Drafter
Clerk 02/26/2009
Title
A MOTION directing the executive to convene discussions with local, state and federal flood control agencies for the purpose of improving communications about and coordination of their respective actions that may affect the severity of flooding events.
Body
WHEREAS, King County has experienced numerous destructive flooding events over the past several decades, causing significant damage to homes and properties, and
WHEREAS, many flood events simply cannot be avoided due to the sheer magnitude of the rainfall, and
WHEREAS, the number of occurrences and the severity of flood events can be increased when there is a lack of coordination and communication between local, state and federal flood control agencies, and
WHEREAS, the substantial negative impacts that can result from a lack of coordination and communication between local, state and federal flood control agencies, was dramatically illustrated during the January 2009 flood event when significant flooding occurred along the Cedar river and White river, possibly in part, due to the releases of water at dam facilities operated by the city of Seattle and the United States Army Corp of Engineers, and
WHEREAS, improved coordination and communication between local, state and federal flood control agencies will be a benefit to all the residents of King County by reducing the occurrences and/or severity of future flood events;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The King County executive shall convene discussions between county, state or federal agencies whose actions may have an impact on flood protection efforts, for the purpose of improving coordination and communication of actions that may affect the occurrence or severity of flood events and shall provide recommendations to the council, by May 31, 2009, for steps that can be taken to improve such coordination and communication.
The recommendation must be filed in the form of eleven copies with the clerk of
the council, who shall retain the original and will forward copies to each councilmember and to the committee coordinator of the physical environment committee.