The Skookumchuck Commerce Center is the proposed project from a large international developer that wants to build nearly a million square feet of warehouse space on Reynolds Avenue, in the floodplain, on the wetland and over the aquifer for the City of Centralia.
Not only do many of the residents of Centralia know this is a dangerous proposal as was proven by the many signatures gathered against the project during the first public comment period, but the letters from the appropriate oversight agencies are starting to roll in and they all seem to be against the project.
Reasons include flooding, fish habitat for the larger area, water resources including the aquifer, hazardous waste and toxins.
A letter from the Department of Fish and Wildlife clearly states that the property is highly constrained by floodplain habitat and as proposed will have significant negative impacts on the natural resources of the site.
Based on experiences over the past two decades, we know that damages to infrastructure, residences and businesses that are built in the floodplain are inevitable. The department is concerned that the proposed development would inadequately protect against flooding.
Additionally, this construction in the floodplain over a critical aquifer recharge area would negatively impact the quantity, quality and temperature of water entering the stream. Critical aquifer recharge areas benefit adjacent streams by allowing the infiltration of precipitation and flood water, maintaining base flows, providing cool groundwater inputs and improving water quality by filtering runoff before it reaches salmon-carrying streams and their tributaries. It is worth noting again that this critical aquifer recharge area is the same aquifer that the City of Centralia draws much of its drinking water from, not just the fish.
Development on this property would negatively impact the aquatic life in the area including both coho and other aquatic life including other salmonids. The proposed structure of the development presents a significant threat to aquatic life.
The proposal is to cover about 80% of the entire 48 acres with pavement or concrete, not to mention adding fill levels that would increase the height of more than a foot above the floodplain. This is on average more than 3 feet in additional fill over the entire property, by my estimate, or higher than the levee that protects the City of Centralia, potentially pushing flood waters over the levee instead of in the fields where this proposed project will go.
Environmental factors were determined to be particularly concerning due to the possibility of the transport of pollutants derived from the parking areas and driveways during a flood. Runoff from roadways and parking areas have been shown to have a significant negative impact from pollutants from tires oils, and whatever the warehouse may be used for, which is not included in any of the documents that I can find. It is a big unknown and could include additional hazardous materials.
Now is the time to speak out against the project on Reynolds at the next public comment period.
Jeremy Ashbeck
Centralia
