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Sequim resident urges action on Bell Creek flooding and salmon barriers during public comment
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Summary
A Sequim resident told the Planning Commission that filled irrigation ditches and a proposed fish screen could worsen flooding and limit salmon access to spawning habitat, and asked the city to include flood-response measures and habitat investments in the comprehensive plan.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, John Worthington of Sequim urged the Planning Commission to address flooding tied to filled irrigation ditches and to work with the county and tribes to improve salmon habitat.
"You have an obligation under the state comprehensive plan to deal with that flooding," Worthington told commissioners, describing how sediment buildup after irrigation-ditch changes has raised river levels and contributed to local flooding. He urged the city to prioritize Bell Creek investments and warned that a fish screen proposed for the East Highland Irrigation Ditch could block salmon passage to Bell Creek if not located or designed carefully.
Worthington laid out an on-the-ground recommendation he described as the "Jimmy Come Lately" project and offered staff a copy of his notes and maps showing where he thinks restoration and fish-passage work would be most effective: "It belongs there. Gotta work with the county to make it happen," he said.
Staff and commissioners responded later in the meeting that irrigation districts and water rights are managed outside city authority and that most city stormwater eventually discharges to Bell Creek. Carla said the citys critical-areas ordinance and stormwater rules constrain development and that substantial investment and county coordination would be required to realize the kind of creek restoration Worthington proposed.
The exchange highlighted the distinction between county-managed irrigation infrastructure and city stormwater responsibilities and left the larger restoration question open for future coordination with county and tribal partners.
