As a resident farmer living in the Snohomish Valley floodplain, I am opposed to the current county code amendment now before the Snohomish County Council. Approving this amendment would allow unlimited flood-proofing fill in the portion of the Marshland Flood Control District which includes the Harvey Industrial Area south of Snohomish. This will not only place other residents in jeopardy, but make way for future development of our valley’s rich farmland.
The floodplain is nature’s way of channeling large volumes of water out to sea. Human attempts to impede this flow serve only to cause greater damage elsewhere. Rather than the whole of the plain dispersing water, displacement by fill increases water levels throughout the remaining floodplain.
I recognize the potential for flooding is part of life. We accept this risk as a tradeoff for the rich farmland produced by this very flooding. However, what is done in one area must not be to the detriment of another. We are obligated to live by the current ag-10 zoning laws.
The County Council is elected to uphold existing laws, which in this case protect and preserve open space and agriculture from over-development and urbanization. I challenge the council to look ahead at the precedent that will be set if this amendment is approved. Once it gets a toehold, development will eat up the farmland, and like the floodwater will soon overtake and destroy the treasure that is our Snohomish Valley. On behalf of those of us who live off the land and all of those who enjoy the fruits of our labor, do the right thing by not allowing this development to fill in crucial floodplain.
Snohomish
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