The Chehalis Basin Board unanimously approved a budget at an early December meeting.
The budget’s total is $73 million with the vast majority of the funds being split between habitat restoration and flood damage reduction projects, according to a news release.
Chehalis Basin Board member J. Vander Stoep noted $30,448,000 will be used to fund projects protecting and restoring aquatic species habitat, $30,440,000 will be used to fund projects reducing flood damage; and $5,204,000 will be used to fund integrated projects focusing on both habitat restoration and flood damage reduction. About $3.9 million will be used to fund the Office of Chehalis Basin and the board.
Gov. Jay Inslee recently released his capital budget plan for 2023-2025, which included $70 million for the Chehalis Basin Strategy during the next biennium. That proposal will be considered by the Legislature when lawmakers convene in January.
“If approved by the Legislature, this will mean $25 million or more for fish habitat projects as well as another set of local flood projects,” Vander Stoep said in an email. “The proposed budget includes $17 million for the next phase of design and federal and state environmental review of the proposed water retention project.”
The water retention project is being studied for potential construction on the Chehalis River near Pe Ell.
Vander Stoep added local legislators have been consistent supporters of the Office of the Chehalis Basin’s activities, with backing from Republicans and Democrats.
The board will prepare for legislative budget deliberations at its January meeting.
Additionally, the Local Actions Non-Dam (LAND) Alternative Steering Group will be looking for community input on alternative flood control or damage prevention measures as it prepares to present recommendations next year.
The LAND Steering Group will hold a public town hall at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound on Jan. 19 starting at 1 p.m. to present those recommendations.
Following that, the group will be putting on a “roadshow” during February to gather input on their recommendations from local Chehalis Basin groups, including chambers of commerce, local nonprofits, neighborhood associations, homeowner associations, church groups and more.
Those interested in setting up a meeting time with the LAND Steering Group can email info@chehalisbasinstrategy.com for more information.
