Very quietly, the local 'watershed council' makes its plans for our river

by Lois Krafsky-Perry, Citizen Review Online
www.citizenreviewonline.org

Sequim, WA- 10/25/01 -“Geomorpholoy of the Lower Dungeness” was scheduled as the topic for a special meeting of the Dungeness River Management Team (DRMT), referred to by state agencies as the local "watershed council" on October 25 at the Tribal Community Center in Blyn. The Dungeness River Restoration Work Group (DRRWG) was also invited in a private letter. No noticeable public notice was posted or advertised for the residents of the Sequim community. There were no handouts provided for the attendees, although there was a signup for a copy of a CD, which will be made from the video and supplied by the tribe.

The DRMT, chaired by Clallam County Commissioner Steve Tharinger, should have been conducted as a public meeting, in that the county, city, and tribe have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the meetings.

There was no opportunity for public input at the meeting, nor did this reporter notice any individual citizens present from the community.. Approximately 43 attendees represented agencies, DRMT, and DRRWG. Many of the attendees were paid for the afternoon activities; most included travel time expenses.

A team from Denver Colorado representing the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) presented their “completed work” based on a three year study. A facilitator of the report Tim Randle, (hydraulic engineer)⁽¹⁾, assisted by Jennifer Bountry (hydraulic engineer) and Lucy Piety (geomorphologist). They gave an overview of the fate of the Dungeness River. Dave Nelson, Project Funding, also shared ideas. Randle and Bountry had attended a DRMT meeting January 2000.

The 10-1/2 mile Dungeness River was sectioned off in 5 parts, called "Reach 1-5". Reach 1 is the lower Dungeness River near the old Dungeness Schoolhouse and River's End. It also includes Meadow Brook Creek near the old town of Dungeness.

Reach 2 is south of Reach 1, and includes Hurd Creek, the dike above the schoolhouse, the Beebe dike area, the Burlingame Bridge (Woodcock bridge), Doc Stevenson’s property on the west side of the river, and Railroad Bridge Park. Reach 3 includes the Highway 101 bridge and up to Reach 4 which, begins approximately 1 1/2 miles up Taylor Cutoff Road and extends up to the hatchery. This also includes Dungeness Meadows on the east side of the river.

Reach 5 is near the fish hatchery area and includes Kinkaid Island on the east side of the river. It continues to the upper area near Slab Camp and ends 10 1/2 miles from the mouth of the Dungeness River.

The presenters showed graphs and pictures of the Dungeness River. They identified sediment concerns, woody debris issues, possible removal of levees, problems with bridges, bridge modifications, human impacts , flooding, avulsions, gravel mining, logging impacts, estuary management, and changes in the course of the river, (past, present, and future). “We recommend more study for the upper watershed,” announced Bountry, while pointing out that area as Reach 5. She identified the Graywolf River in Reach 5.

Three sets of photos were supplied by Randle. They showed the river in 1942-43, 1965, and the year 2000, and were taken from a helicopter supplied by the tribe. The older photos were taken at a much higher distance.

Randle showed how a meandering river creates more sediment. Avulsions were identified as "sudden changes in the course of the river often utilizing a second channel". Randle referred to Kinkaid Island area as an avulsion. He stated that Bill Simon of the US Geological Service is completing a study on sediment.

Randle offered sympathy for the residents of Kinkaid Island. “These bridges may be in trouble for residents on Kinkaid Island,” he said. He was also concerned about private levees such as the fish hatchery, the Haller property, and downstream levees.

Bountry discussed the  “Prehistoric” flood plain, which was printed on one of the charts. “Prehistoric is maybe a few hundred years---not before all man activities,” she said.

Reach 5 Kinkaid Island log jams were mentioned. “It may be a matter of time before Kinkaid captures the flow of the Dungeness, “remarked Randle.

Tharinger asked Randle if they had a time frame. He stated that the county had contracted for a survey.

Randle pointed out on the chart, “Bob Kavanaugh happens to live here,” he announced, as he pointed near the Haller Dike. He then pointed out all the homes in Dungeness Meadows area. “A lot of homes are in the way of that,” he said.

Randle continued with some conclusions about Reach 4. Questions were asked by Eloise Kailin, Nash Huber, Ann Seiter, Eldon Clark, Lynn Muench, and Jack Gordon. Gordon directed his questions about the angle of the Dungeness River Highway 101 bridge. Gordon did not identify his interests.

Hurd Creek, Al Moore’s property and Beebe dike, as well as Ward road area on the west of the Dungeness River, were also discussed.

Conclusions on Reach 2 were that the Woodcock Bridge, along with Ward, cuts off about half of the natural flood plain as shown on pictures.

Reach 1 Conclusions. Meandering was discussed by Randy Johnson about Meadowbrook Creek area.

Reach 1. Conclusions Levees restrict areas and levee construction at Beebe's was discussed.

The area above Tharinger’s home was identified and discussed by Randy Johnson and Randle. Eberle’s and Del Palma was mentioned and pointed out on the map. Johnson used a red light to spot the map. “Eberle’s to Steve’s (Tharinger) property,” he said. Bountry remarked, “riparian zone,”

It was suggested that they could choose to move back south east of Beebe’s on Ward road. “Unless moved or relocated or levee is reinforced--- it is going to happen anyway,” offered Randle. “Allow the river more freedom here,” he said as he pointed to the lower Dungeness area.

Randle placed a chart that was to explain “Estuary Management” at the lower Dungeness, but it was soon removed and the subject was changed. “If you were to take out Rivers End lower down stream.....,” he trailed.

Interrupted by Cynthia Nelson from Department of Ecology (DOE) , who asked the question, “If you took back the Corps dike and Rivers End dike, would that eliminate most of the issue?” Randle answered, “yes.”

Tharinger offered, “...when we talked to the Corps about levee setback, they were not interested in talking to us until we looked at the bridge.”

Johnson babbled, “it is a more complex issue. A geological feature here. This is a feature that did not evolve in harmony... There are a multitude of problems with that area.” He continued with words about enlightenment and seemed to lose the attention of the speaker.

Estuary Management was allowed on the screen for a moment. “Removal of upstream levees would restore flood plain access and reduce removal of lower school house area...” Randle flipped the screen over to the next subject.

The next subject included a quick flip up the river to the Kavanaugh property, which connected to the Graywolf on the chart.

It was determined by many that the Woodcock bridge (Burlingame) was the most constrictive on the river.

Railroad Bridge is a management call, according to Randle.

Kinkaid needs an emergency plan and could need “a buyout”. A plan of evacuation is necessary, according to Randle. “It is a matter of time in this current trend,” said Randle, while referring to Kinkaid Island.

Tharinger asked questions about the Estuary Management decisions. He also praised the presenters and reminded the group that these are management decisions, as he referred to DRMT decisions.

It ended by Randle, with the hopes to have the report out soon. “The administration and Congress is tied up,” said Randle as the agency people chuckled. Dave Nelson said, “Let’s assume the money will be there and continue.”

Elected Commissioner Tharinger thanked the presenters, tribe, and teams for attending.

⁽¹⁾  Tim Randle contributed to the writing of the Bureau of Reclamation's "Decision Process Handbook", which utilizes the consensus process in its format.