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Corps expected to issue notice to proceed for Mill Creek CAP 205; county readies real-estate outreach
Summary
Walla Walla County officials were told April 28 that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to issue a notice to proceed this week for the Mill Creek CAP 205 flood-reduction project, opening the county’s real-estate process for easements and property agreements.
Walla Walla County officials were told April 28 that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to issue a notice to proceed this week for the Mill Creek CAP 205 flood-reduction project, opening the countys real-estate process for easements and property agreements.
The update came during the county commissioner meeting after the board designated Joel Dickerson as the county engineer. Joel Dickerson, county engineer, told commissioners the project team has "reviewed the draft right of way and real estate maps" and expected Corps authorization that will let the countys consultants begin contacting landowners.
Why it matters: CAP 205 is a major local flood-control project that must secure property interests along Mill Creek before in-channel work can begin. County staff said the real-estate phase will determine how many landowners must be compensated and whether the county can avoid eminent-domain proceedings.
County and Corps officials said the real-estate step is likely to be the slow piece of the schedule. "We will start the real estate process. . . we will work with the consultant to go out and contact the landowners and explain to them what we need and ask them to work through the process where they're compensated for the easements they provide," said Joy, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff member who spoke during the update. Joy also told commissioners she was verifying whether required design funds were new appropriations or money reauthorized from prior budgets.
County staff said the current plan set lists about 28 separate parcels that will be affected, though not all are owned by unique landowners. Commissioners asked whether the project had reached the design threshold required to begin land acquisition; Corps staff confirmed real-estate activity will proceed now that the technical package is at an advanced review stage.
Construction timing: Corps and county staff said in-channel construction is expected in 2026, subject to coordination around fish-window restrictions and completion of the real-estate process. Joy warned that the Corpsinternal review — from the district to division and sometimes headquarters — can be lengthy and that additional geotechnical and design work had been added during winter months.
The board also voted to designate Joel Dickerson as county engineer earlier in the meeting; Dickerson introduced himself and gave the CAP 205 update.
Next steps: County staff said their consultant will begin contacting owners to explain easement needs and compensation procedures, and staff will attempt to complete property agreements without initiating eminent domain. Commissioners said they would continue to monitor Corps correspondence and real-estate progress.
