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Residents warn of worsening erosion, debris on Libby Creek and ask county to pursue grants
Summary
Residents told commissioners that severe channel migration and large debris threaten banks and bridges on Libby Creek and Hammer Cutoff; they asked the county to help with grant applications, 310 permits, and coordination with state and federal agencies.
Multiple residents addressed the board during public comment to describe escalating erosion, debris and channel change on Libby Creek and nearby reaches that threaten private property and public infrastructure.
Judith McCabe urged the county to pursue available grant programs and to help residents file 310 permits so they can carry out targeted work on private properties. "They just opened up grants. Um and they're going to start having Zooms starting tomorrow at 9 in the morning," McCabe said, urging officials to coordinate. She and other speakers described a section where the bank dropped as much as 13 feet and said as many as 70–80 private property owners are involved in the affected corridor, complicating larger-scale intervention.
County staff summarized permitting constraints: federal and state agencies limit the scope of allowed removal and often require engineering and surveying work. Speakers noted FEMA reimbursement rules (the county must spend first and cannot be reimbursed for some work on federal land) and encouraged the board to press legislators for assistance. Residents requested the county's help with grant applications, technical assistance, and advocacy with state and federal agencies ahead of anticipated spring high-water events.
The board acknowledged the complexity, said staff are pursuing funding options and agreed to assist residents with permit basics and coordination with legislators and agency contacts.
