Douglas county, washington

Land Use

Affected Environment:
Nearly all of the project area is in unincorporated Douglas County (a portion of Pond 1 and a portion of the buttress wall are in East Wenatchee). The Badger Mountain Landslide is in unincorporated Douglas County. Eastmont Avenue and the majority of the mapped floodplain are in East Wenatchee.
There are 6 distinct land uses in the vicinity of the project:

• 
  Dryland Agriculture and Native Open Space - the upper incised channel with steep side slopes (native open space) and dry land farming on the benches above the incised channels in the vicinity of ponds 3, 4, 5, & 6. Much of the farmland is in the County’s Conservation Reserve Program;
  
• 
  Geologically Hazardous Area and Native Open Space - Sand Canyon with steep gradient and steep side slopes;
  
• 
  Rural Residential –the upper flat area near Badger Mountain Road containing Fancher Heights;
  
• 
  Agriculture - irrigated orchards from the mouth of Sand Canyon to Eastmont Avenue;
  
• 
  Urban –the area from Eastmont to the Columbia River containing residential houses, undeveloped areas, a mobile home park, governmental offices, and a community park.
  

Environment Consequences:
Alternates I, & II: There will be no change in land use to the Dryland Agriculture, Native Open Space, and/or Geologically Hazardous Areas as a result of these projects. The Residential area (Fancher Heights) has been platted out and will continue to experience normal home construction until filled. This project will have no influence on the rate of construction currently occurring nor is it anticipated to influence a change to East Wenatchee’s Urban Growth Boundary. Because of the reduced threat of flooding and sediment accumulations, the orchards at the mouth of Sand Canyon and the undeveloped areas in the urban area may experience conversion to a more intense use for several years. The community park near the mouth of Sand Canyon Creek at the Columbia River would not experience changes as a result of this project.
Alternative III: There would be no changes to current land use in the vicinity as a result of this alternative.

Safety

Affected Environment:
The proposed stormwater detention ponds, landslide buttress wall, and material removal area are all on undeveloped, rather remote, private property. The potential impact area for safety concerns would be the landslide and floodplain area, which includes public roads and infrastructure, a public park, developed private property, people and domestic animals. The County and its contractors are required to follow safety standards for workers, motorists, and pedestrians when working in hazardous areas and along public roads and right-of-ways.
Environment Consequences:
Alternate I:

The potential short-term impacts for the pond areas include: toxic spills (fuel, hydraulic fluids), and accidents involving construction workers. The impacts for the buttress area and material removal area include: toxic spills (fuel, hydraulic fluids); accidents involving construction workers, and a catastrophic slide while the construction activity is in progress.

The potential long-term impacts include: a reduction in the frequency and magnitude of flood events and reduced probability of a catastrophic landslide; the introduction of impounded water in an urban environment; and dam breaching or failure during high flood or flash flood events. However, according to Shannon and Wilson, Inc., the detention pond dams would not be subject to review by the Washington State Department of Ecology Dam Safety Section due to their small normal operating capacity.
Alternative II:

The potential short-term impacts include: toxic spills (fuel, hydraulic fluids), and accidents involving construction workers.

The potential long-term impacts include: a reduction in the frequency and magnitude of flood events and dam breaching or failure. However, due to the size of the detention ponds, a permit would be required by the Washington State Department of Ecology Dam Safety Section for construction of the dams. The slide areas will continue to move, albeit at a reduced rate, resulting in cracks and bumps in Badger Mountain Road. The potential for a catastrophic landslide will continue.
Alternative III:

There would be no changes to the current short or long-term impacts. There is still the risk of catastrophic landslide. The slide areas will continue to move resulting in cracks and bumps in Badger Mountain Road. And high flows during high rainfall and/or snowmelt events will still be experienced. The current risk to loss of life and property will continue based upon the nature of a flash flood.

Cumulative Impacts

Cumulative impacts are those effects on the environment that result from the incremental effect of the action when added to past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions, regardless of what agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes such actions. Cumulative effects can result from individually minor, but collectively significant, actions taking place over a period of time.

For this discussion “Past” is considered the time before development (roads, buildings, and farms) along the Columbia River and benches to the east; “Present” is considered the development time frame; and the “Future” is considered the reasonable foreseeable future.
In the “Past” there were flash floods, erosion, landslides, and sedimentation (creation of alluvial fan) associated with the sand canyon drainage basin. Because there were no significant damages associated with these events there was no concern. According to the Cultural Resources Survey by Western Shore Heritage Services, Inc the Columbia Salish tribe occupied the east side of the Columbia River. The tribes fished in the river and hunted and gathered in the upland areas.
In the “Present” the flash floods, erosion, landslides, and sedimentation (creation of alluvial fan) associated with the sand canyon drainage basin continued. Development occurred on the alluvial fan, in the flood plain and across the landslide area without acknowledging or making provisions for protecting against these hazards. Because of this development there were damages (undersized culverts, breached and eroded roads, flooded homes, undesirable sediment accumulations, and differential settlement on the Badger Mountain Road crossing a large landslide area). As a consequence Douglas County, East Wenatchee, and property owners have responded during the emergencies and made post event clean up and repairs.
The “Future” cumulative impacts as a result of Alternative I are expected to include: increased development, construction of the CIP upgrade of the Badger Mountain Road, decreased costs associated with emergency response, clean up, and repairs, and increased monitoring and maintenance of ponds and buttress wall.
Increased Development: The orchard area at the mouth of Sand Canyon east of Eastmont Avenue and the occasional vacant lot in the flood plain between Eastmont Avenue and the Columbia River can be expected to be developed. This development would most likely be consistent with the existing development in the surrounding area and current zoning and codes. The flooding risk to these new developments will be minimal because the post project 100-year flood will be contained in channel and the existing culverts have the capacity to pass the peak design flow.
Construction of the Badger Mountain Road Upgrade: Douglas County has plans to continue with the design and construction of this project. The stabilization of the Badger Mountain Road Slide will reduce construction and long-term repair costs.
Decreased costs associated with emergency response, clean up, and repairs: Douglas County, East Wenatchee and the property owners can reduce their emergency response, clean up, and repair efforts because the 100 year flood will be controlled, sediment collected in ponds, and the Badger Mountain Road Slide will be more stable. The resources used for these activities can be directed elsewhere.
Increased monitoring and maintenance of ponds and buttress wall: Douglas County and East Wenatchee will develop and implement a long-term monitoring and maintenance program for the ponds and buttress wall. The Storm Water Utility will finance this program. Staff will be selected, equipped, and trained to implement the program.

Factors Considered, Not Discussed:
The following “other” factors were considered and it was determined there were no (or minimal) potential effects: Prime Farmlands, Vegetation, Wildlife, Climate & Air, Mineral Resources, Utilities, and Noise. There is no further discussion of these “other” factors in this document.
MITIGATION OF UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALTERNATIVES
Mitigation refers to actions that would reduce or eliminate potential adverse environmental impacts that could result from the proposed action. The potentially adverse impacts described in the previous section are minor and do not require any formal mitigation.
Mitigation measures for Alternates 1, & 2 are similar and include:

1. 
   Douglas County will be responsible for obtaining and complying with all required local, state, and Federal permits/regulations/codes/standards (including but not limited to: Shoreline Conditional Use, Floodplain Management, Critical Areas Ordinance, WSDFW-HPA, WSDoE-401, US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404, WSDoT, and APWA) prior to and during project implementation.
   

2. 
   The construction will comply with local, state, and federal requirements related to preparation and implementation of erosion control plans, allowable turbidity, discharge of storm water from construction sites, periodic inspections, and use of clean and well-maintained equipment.
   

3. 
   Should historically or archeologically significant materials (or evidence thereof) be discovered during the implementation of the project, the project shall be halted until FEMA (in consultation with SHPO, the Applicant and other concerned parties) develops and implements appropriate measures to ensure the project is in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act.
   

4. 
   Douglas County will be responsible for the continued monitoring, operation, and maintenance of all facilities associated with the project. The monitoring will include checking for maintenance needs, emergency response activities, and project effectiveness. Operating and maintaining will include cleaning, repairing, and adjusting the projects. The surface water management unit will be responsible for evaluating rainfall, snowmelt, inflow, outflow, pond depth, and maintenance reports and developing and implementing plans to adjust pond outlet configurations.
   

5. 
   If deviations from the proposed scope of work result in substantial design changes, the need for additional ground disturbance, additional removal of vegetation, or result in any other unanticipated changes to the physical environment, the Grantee must contact FEMA, and a re-evaluation under NEPA and other applicable environmental laws will be conducted by FEMA.
   

AGENCIES CONSULTED
The Washington State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), Dr. Allyson Brooks, was consulted for Historical and Archeological effects by letter dated August 28, 2003.
The Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Dr. Shawn Hess, was consulted for Historical and Archeological effects by letter dated August 28, 2003.
Douglas County consulted with the following agencies regarding this proposed project: US Army Corps of Engineers, Debbie Knaub, (at Project Scoping Meeting - March 11, 2003).

NOAA Fisheries, Dianne Driscoll US Fish and Wildlife Service, (at Project Scoping Meeting - March 11, 2003).

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bob Newman, (at Project Scoping Meeting – March 11, 2003)

5. 
   REFERENCES:
   

Anderson, Kim; Baker, Mark; Fisher, Cameron; Long, Alissa; Paulus, Stuart. ENSR International Sand Canyon Hazard Mitigation Site Wetland Delineation. East Wenatchee, Washington, Aug. 2003.

Burrie, Dee. J., P.E. Draft Engineering Study; Sand Canyon Flood Mitigation Project. Douglas County. Washington Shannon & Wilson, Inc., 2003.
Burrie, Dee. J., P.E. Supplemental Pond Storage and Flow. Shannon & Wilson, Inc., 2003.
Douglascountywa.net. Storm Water Utility. 8 Aug. 2003. http://www.douglascountywa.net/departments/swu/.
Factfinder.census.gov. 12 Aug. 2003. U.S. Census Bureau, DP-1 Profile of General Demographic Characteristics. Data Set: Census 2000 Summary File (SF 1) 100-Percent Data. http://factfinder.census.gov/bf/.
Gosselin, Jolene. Hazard Mitigation Grant Application. Douglas County, 2001.
Gosselin, Jolene, P.E. Personal Communications. County Engineer. Douglas County, 2003.
Hancock, LeeAnn. Sand Canyon Flood Hazard Mitigation FEMA Biological Assessment. Washington State Department of Transportation. Douglas County, July 2003.
Idahogeology.org. 11 April 2002. Uniform Building Code Seismic Zone Map of the Contiguous United States. http://idahogeology.org/Services/GeologicHazards/Earthquakes/images/ubc.gif.
Lange, Jennifer, P.E. Personal Communications. Design Engineer. Douglas County, 2003.
Rooke, Lara C. Sand Canyon Flood Hazard Mitigation Project. Washington State Office of Financial. Cultural Resources Survey for the Management. 2003 Population Estimates Western Shore Heritage Services, Inc., 6 Aug. 2003.
Roozen, Justin, Road Data/Environmental Coordinator. Personal Communications.

Douglas County, 2003.

Roozen, Justin. State Environmental Policy Act Checklist. Douglas County, 2003.
Task Force on the Natural and Beneficial Function of the Floodplain. The Natural and Beneficial Function of the Floodplain. Reducing Flood Losses by Protecting and Restoring the Floodplain Environment. June 2002.
Top 10 Employers in Douglas County. Port of Douglas County, October 2002.

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. Federal Insurance AdministrationFlood Insurance Rate Map. Douglas County, Washington.

Washington State Department of Ecology. Facility/Site Identification System, 2003.

IX. APPENDICES:
#1 - Maps:

Map #1 – Location & Drainage Map

Map #2 - Alternative #I

Map #3 - Alternative #II

#2 - Photos:

Photo #1 – Cover and Overview

Photo #2 - Pond 1 Proposed Location

Photo #3 - Pond 2 Proposed Location

Photo #4 – Ponds 3, 4, 5, & 6 Typical Conditions

Photo #5 - Buttress Wall Proposed Location

#3 – Executive Orders Checklists:

Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management)

Executive Order 11989 (Wetlands)
#4 – Public Involvement

Public Notice for FEMA Draft Environmental Assessment

Summary – Douglas County (Sand Canyon) HMGP Public Notices & Hearings
#5 – Comments from Agencies
#6 – Comments from Public
#7 – Draft Engineering Study;
#8 – Cultural Resources Survey
#9 – Biological Assessment
#10 – Wetland Delineation

Draft - Environmental Assessment (Date: 9/22/2003)

Douglas County, Washington – Sand Canyon Drainage & Slope Stabilization Project

FEMA-WA-DR-1361

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