Ensuring the safety and prosperity of Chehalis Basin communities

The Washington State Legislature has awarded the City of Hoquiam $18.5 million to further advance the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project in Grays Harbor County. The one-time state grant will help Hoquiam and Aberdeen match the federal funding they received to design, permit and build a $160.5 million flood mitigation project.

Because large parts of Hoquiam and Aberdeen are located at or near sea level, both cities are working together on the project. Flooding has historically affected low-lying urban areas between the Wishka and Hoquiam Rivers, north of the Chehalis River.

Building climate resilience, supporting the Chehalis Basin Strategy

The Aberdeen-Hoquiam Project also supports the long-term Chehalis Basin Strategy, which aims to improve the health and resilience of communities in the Chehalis River Basin by reducing flood-related damage.

Aberdeen and Hoquiam plan to build 17.9 miles of earthen, concrete and sheet piling levees. The project includes the 6.2-mile North Shore Dam and the western segment of the 4.7-mile North Shore Dam, which will serve as barriers between land and water and protect cities during severe storms, king tides, rapid snowmelt and other flood events.

The levees will help cities become more resilient to climate change as sea levels rise and regional storms increase in frequency and intensity.

An integral part of the new pumping station project

In July, the City of Aberdeen opened a new $22 million Frye Creek Pumping Station, a critical component of the overall flood mitigation project. Our Chehalis Basin Authority and the independent Chehalis Basin Council have provided $12.3 million to help build a state-of-the-art facility capable of pumping up to 130,000 gallons of water per minute to discharge excess storm and tidal water into Grace Harbor.

Economic benefits

Grays Harbor County is one of the most economically distressed areas in Washington, and flood risks have deterred economic investment in the area. However, once the levees are built, the project will protect 5,100 properties, 1,354 businesses, nearly 1,300 jobs and local infrastructure, including utilities, roads and bridges.

Keeping floodwaters out of urban areas will also help reduce the risk of local flooding and remove large parts of Hoquiam and Aberdeen from the floodplain that has been mapped for 100 years. As a result, many property owners and businesses will no longer have to purchase flood insurance, saving them up to $1.2 million a year in money they would otherwise have spent on insurance premiums. And those who choose to keep additional flood insurance policies will likely see their premiums go down.

Environmental Justice Assessment for State Grant

Washington’s environmental justice law, the Healthy Environment for All Act, gives us the authority to conduct environmental justice assessments when planning important actions, including the $18.5 million government grant for the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project.

The Hoquiam grant is worth more than $12 million and is considered a major step for the state. Our October 2 Environmental Justice Assessment Notice for the State of North Shore Davie’s 2023-25 ​​Capital Budget Provision is posted on the State Office of Fiscal Management website.

The evaluation will help us better understand the wide range of environmental justice impacts that a grant can have on a community so that we can make informed decisions that reduce environmental harm and eliminate environmental and health disparities in overburdened communities.

Receiving feedback, answering questions about the state grant

We want to hear from residents and businesses who may be directly impacted by the $18.5 million government grant for the flood control project, answer questions, and help us identify people and communities to engage with further. For more information and questions about environmental justice assessments, please contact Pat Brommer, Finance Manager at our Chehalis Basin office.