On May 13, more than 20 supporters of the levee trail gathered outside the Clallam County Courthouse with signs saying, “Don’t Poison the Floodplain, “Salmon Matter,” “Safe Trails,” and other expressions of opposition to paving the Dungeness Levee. The advocates then brought their signs to the hearing room and sat silently as the County Commissioners held their Monday work session.
At the following day’s hearing, Commissioners French and Johnson voted to accept the low bid on the paving and construction project submitted by Nordland Construction NW and recommended by County staff. Commissioner Ozias voted “no,” citing many unresolved issues.
Remarks by County staff only underscored the critical questions and issues that linger even as the County plows ahead.
· The County has not yet received its permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, making the contract and its execution a risky business.
· The County has not yet completed the design for stormwater treatment, a critical environmental element of the project.
· The County has not completed its water quality monitoring and sampling plan
· The County has not yet submitted its Department of Ecology grant proposal, let alone received the grant, that would fund the monitoring and sampling.
· The County’s Trails Advisory Committee deemed the trail design unsafe, and it is unclear how or whether the trail will be designed to safely accommodate all users.
· The County has refused to acknowledge that its 2018 “Declaration of Non-Significance” for the project under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) was for a different design and was completed years before the discovery of the effects of 6-PPD-q, the toxic dust from tires that washes into waterbodies and kills salmon (see our last issue). DLTA has consistently asked for a new environmental analysis to address these gaps. When asked about the SEPA review, DCD Director Emery simply said, “we have addressed every concern.”
· When asked by Commissioner Johnson about the reputation of the low-bidding firm staff had recommended, County engineer Joe Donisi casually admitted that they had not conducted any vetting of the contractor. No phone calls to neighboring public works departments? No online research? For a project as ecologically and politically sensitive as this, such a lack of diligence speaks volumes.
What you can do:
· Contact the Board of County Commissioners stating you support the no paving, EMS access only option and insist on a trail that is safe and accessible for all users. Send Commissioner emails to the BoCC Clerk Loni.Gores@clallamcountywa.gov
· Contact the DCD Director bruce.emery@clallamcountywa.gov
· Sign the petition at https://bit.ly/DLTA-petition
· Help spread the word! Talk to your friends and family about the issue. There are many who are unaware of the project and its impact to the environment and recreation. Invite them to walk or roll with you along the trail!
