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County approves Ecology grant amendment for channel migration work; some residents oppose scope
Summary
Commissioners approved an agreement amendment adding $32,239 from the Washington Department of Ecology to the channel migration project contract with Natural System Design Inc.; nearby residents told the board they oppose the project and said their concerns about local impacts remain unaddressed.
Clallam County commissioners approved an amendment June 10 to an agreement with Natural System Design Inc. to add $32,239 in Department of Ecology grant funds for task work on the Lower Elwha channel migration project, plus roughly $4,489 for final outreach.
Staff described the amendment as covering anticipated overages on task work that finalizes channel migration delineation and funding for wrap‑up outreach. The amendment was presented as part of consent and contract items; the board moved and approved the amendment during the meeting.
Residents who spoke during public comment said the project’s scope and local impacts were not adequately explained to affected communities. Ed Bowen of Clallam Bay said the resolution and related actions would hurt his local economy and asked who called for the work and whether it was connected to a marine sanctuary. Bowen also opposed proceeding while he said unmet needs in other areas remain unaddressed. John Worthington raised broader concerns about county involvement with tribal housing and federal positions, saying county resources were being used for activities he described as outside local priorities.
County staff did not modify the amendment based on public comment and the contract amendment was approved. Staff said the Ecology funds are restricted to the channel migration tasks described in the scope of work and that the additional funds are to be applied to anticipated overages and outreach.
