Cowlitz County engineers said the county has finalized property purchase documents and easements needed to site a reservoir and install pipeline for the Riderwood emergency water project, but warned that a U.S. federal government shutdown could slow required federal approvals and affect project timing.

County Engineer Susan Eugenis told the Board of Commissioners that the county has negotiated and signed property purchase documents with R.H. Emerson and Sierra Pacific and is asking the chair to sign the documents so the project can move forward. "We finally come to terms, and they are signed, and we are requesting that the chairman sign those documents," Eugenis said.

The county aims to have the reservoir and piping in place by next August, Eugenis said, and is relying on multiple funding sources. She said the Riderwood project is partly funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and by congressionally delegated funds through the U.S. Department of Agriculture rural program; the total dollar amounts were not specified in the meeting record.

Eugenis warned commissioners that if the federal government remains closed for an extended period, permit reviews and fund obligations handled by federal agencies could be delayed. "If we get into another 30, 60 day shutdown, there is potential public works project impacts for, permitting and some of our funding," she said. She identified two examples of federal processes that could be affected: Federal Highway Administration oversight tied to WSDOT surface transportation program (STP) funds and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits required when projects affect wetlands.

Eugenis also noted a separate county project, the Dyke Road project, is awaiting a U.S. Army Corps Section 408 permit and could be delayed if Corps staffing or permitting is affected.

The presentation to commissioners was informational; staff asked for signature authority to complete the property and easement paperwork and said they will return with the federal-approval package and any required grant documents as they are finalized. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about funding and the potential impacts of a shutdown but did not take formal action on the easements during the session.

The county said it is preparing a bridge agreement and other federal-permit materials to present to the board once they are available. Staff said they will notify the board if federal delays are expected to affect the project schedule.