Vote to allow fill will do plenty of damage

On Sept. 23 the Snohomish County Planning Commission voted 7-3 to take away the rights of landowners in the Snohomish River Valley and created an extreme flood hazard problem right on the chokepoint of the Snohomish River at the City of Snohomish.

The commission voted to allow filling to flood-proof Harvey Airport and the Seattle Snohomish Mill, totally disregarding the voices of the valley homeowners and agricultural business people.

This vote will set in motion filling at Harvey Field that will result in a 1-foot rise in the river in a 100-year flood situation. This will damage the dikes, the property of more than 100 people, 48 houses, 25 businesses and the City of Snohomish. This action will damage Springhetti Road, Highway 9, the River Road and the Seattle Hill Marsh Road.

Without consulting Marshland Flood Control about the dangers of such an action, the Planning Commission blindly voted with the recommendation of the County Planning Department.

It voted without consideration of the Growth Management Act to protect agricultural land. This action will start the decline of agriculture in the Snohomish River Valley.

Snohomish