Farmers in the Green River Valley can learn more about how to ensure the safety of their farm operations, livestock, equipment and families at a series of three public meetings in September.
Sponsored by King County and the King County Agriculture Commission, the meetings are part of a coordinated effort to provide details about the heightened flood risk this year in the Green River Valley because of operational problems at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Howard Hanson Dam in the upper Green River watershed.
Farmers and agricultural landowners face unique circumstances when dealing with potential flooding, including potentially relocating livestock and equipment, and managing hazardous materials such as fuel, fertilizers and other chemicals.
The meetings are set for:
• Monday, Sept. 14
6:30–8:30 p.m., Flaming Geyser State Park Lodge, 23700 SE Flaming Geyser Road
• Thursday, Sept. 17
7-9 p.m., Auburn City Hall – Council Chambers, 25 W Main St.
• Tuesday, Sept. 22
1-3 p.m., Emerald Downs, Turf Club – fifth floor, 2300 Emerald Downs Drive, Auburn
At the meetings, King County staff will provide an update on the county’s efforts in response to possible flood impacts, and provide resources that will let agricultural landowners know how they can best protect themselves, their families and their property against floods.
Storage capacity at the Corps’ Howard Hanson Dam in the upper Green River watershed is temporarily restricted until repairs can be made to the right abutment of the dam, which was damaged in January when the dam held back a record amount of water after a heavy rainfall.
King County already has taken several proactive steps to help increase public safety in the event of Green River Valley flooding, including an extensive public-information campaign to get the word out about this heightened risk of flooding, enhancing our Flood Warning Center operations and flood patrol crews in response to possible flooding, and stepping up coordination with cities, plus state and federal agencies.
King County also is working to help ensure farmers and agricultural landowners have the information they need to keep themselves, their livestock and property safe, including:
• Developing a resource list of possible locations where farm animals can be sheltered and equipment stored
• Recommending immunizations for livestock and pets prior to the wet season, which will help prevent illness if the animals are exposed to floodwaters or other animals at a shelter site.
The Corps is making safety repairs to the dam, including constructing an interim seepage barrier wall and improving the drainage tunnel to control seepage through a critical portion of the dam’s right abutment.
For more information about how King County and the King County Flood Control District are preparing for and responding to this heightened flood risk and for flood planning links to affected cities visit www.kingcounty.gov/floodplans or www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.
