Cowlitz County approves possession‑and‑use agreement to repair collapsed storm drain on Sweet Birch Drive

Cowlitz County commissioners approved a possession‑and‑use agreement Tuesday to allow contractors to access private land and complete emergency repairs after a storm‑drain collapse on Sweet Birch Drive.

Public works right‑of‑way agent Anna Lunde told the board the existing storm drain — installed by a developer more than two decades earlier — failed and required immediate routing to a new line that crosses two private parcels. Lunde said crews are working with Beacon Hill Water and Sewer District to use that district’s camera equipment to assess the damage and that AES is performing the emergency work.

Savannah Clement, public services, summarized the county request as a resolution declaring emergency status and authorizing AES to build a new storm drain system that connects to an existing outflow. She told the commissioners the work is needed to reduce flood and safety risks ahead of rainy conditions.

Board members approved a possession‑and‑use agreement granting the county temporary recorded access to the neighboring parcels so construction crews can enter the sites. The board’s motion to authorize the possession and use document passed on an oral vote of “Aye”; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.

The agreement was notarized by the landowners and will be recorded to document county possession and use for construction. Lunde said the relocation is not a simple repair but a new alignment that crosses both properties; she described the new alignment as “a much, much better place” than the prior configuration.

Ending: The county will record the possession‑and‑use document and continue AES work immediately; staff said they will return with updates as construction progresses and as additional details about risk and cost are finalized.