SNOHOMISH – The city is seeking $3.4 million in state and federal grants for projects that may lessen damage in floods.
Located at the confluence of the Snohomish and Pilchuck rivers, the city has always faced floods. It’s wise to invest money to prepare for high water instead of just dealing with its aftermath, Mayor Randy Hamlin said.
“This is a very positive thing,” Hamlin said Tuesday. “It makes a good financial sense to do this.”
The city doesn’t know whether or when the state Emergency Management Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will approve the grant requests, City Manager Larry Bauman said.
The city would be required to match any grant money it receives, he said.
The city has identified six projects to make it more flood-ready.
The most urgent will protect the city’s water transmission line where it nears the Pilchuck River.
The $459,000 project would replace rip rap lost during flooding in November and December. The city is worried that more erosion could cause the waterline to break.
The most expensive project, estimated at $1.7 million, would install pumps and a generator at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
“We may not do all those projects at once. We probably want to prioritize them,” Hamlin said.
Meanwhile, Snohomish is still trying to get $3.3 million in federal aid to help cover the cost of damage from the Election Day Flood.
City Councilman Dean Randall said he wants the city to fix the damage now before another flood hits the city.
“I hope we will get (the money) soon,” he said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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