Flood Control executive staff presents 2025 work plan: grants, capital projects and community outreach priorities

Michelle Clark, district executive director, delivered a detailed briefing to the Executive Committee on Feb. 5 outlining the Flood Control District's 2025 work plan and priorities.

Clark told members the district's largest workload by dollar amount remains oversight of capital projects, including approval points at charters and design milestones. She reviewed major grant programs: the subregional opportunity fund (each jurisdiction receives $10,000 or 10% of revenue in that jurisdiction, whichever is greater), cooperative watershed-management (CWM/RIAs) grants, flood reduction grants (four streams: original flood reduction, small stream and urban flooding, fish passage, and coastal erosion), and a new Lake Sammamish Dock and Shoreline Grant Program expected to open for applications in second quarter 2025 with awards in fourth quarter 2025.

Clark listed projects the county expects may reach construction in 2025 "all things working correctly": Belmondo-Lehi repair; North Fork Snoqualmie confluence revetment removal; and Stassel-Wright bank revetment improvement. Other projects in design include Dutchman Road revetment repair, Fort Ditt levee repair on the Lower Green, Jerome revetment (Issaquah Creek), and Ryberry Creek flood risk reduction. Clark said the district will present policy guidance on bonding for capital projects to the Board by April 17 and will conduct a deeper review of project prioritization and the six-year CIP to align with the district's revenue.

Clark also reviewed noncapital programs: expansion of home elevation and buyout options to properties in the Duwamish River corridor, continued levee breach studies to identify likely breach locations, and ongoing audit and communications work. She said staff will continue to use community navigators — piloted on the Lower Green — to expand outreach countywide and produce more materials in English and Spanish. Clark noted upcoming deliverables including two videos (district orientation and flood preparedness), an updated "Be Flood Ready" brochure in Spanish and English, and new branded materials for supervisors and events.

On permitting and federal coordination, Clark and Deputy Executive Director Stephen Shower said the district has experienced difficulty obtaining federal agency review on Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act issues and is working with the federal delegation. Clark reported recent, "distressing" notice that the Army Corps does not intend to pursue a partnership on the Desmone levee in Tukwila; staff said they would provide additional information and briefings to members.

Clark closed by describing planned administrative improvements in 2025, including streamlined reporting requirements for service providers and new quarterly/monthly reporting to enhance partner coordination. Committee members did not take formal action on the briefing; they asked for follow-up briefings on permitting, levels of protection across jurisdictions, and other technical questions.