There was high water in Western Wahkiakum County last December and January.
It's not hard to predict flooding in the lowlands that buffer the Columbia River and Willapa hills. You just have to look on the charts for a 10+’ tide then factor in forecasted heavy rainstorms.
Both the East and West Deep River Rd. levees sustained damage this year. And we had plenty of standing water around the Hendrickson Creek that winds up the Deep River Valley too.
Across the Columbia, a levee breeched in Brownsmead OR, damaging the Lewis & Clark Train tracks. A local 74 year old told an estuary expert that he’s never seen water that high in Knappa OR, before.
Much of the Grays River valley found itself under water too. But many Grays River residents claim this year was different than usual.
Many believe the reason for the flooding is due to the activities of the Columbia Land Trust (CLT). The CLT has been acquiring land at the mouth of the Grays and Deep Rivers, (both rivers feed into Grays Bay) for fish habitat.
Juvenile fish need tidal wetlands to protect them. The CLT’s activities include breeching dikes so their land becomes wet habitat for the rearing of juvenile salmonid’s.
The dikes that CLT have altered were put in many years ago. Even before any CLT alteration, the Grays River Valley was no stranger to high water and flooding.
The big water came this winter. Was it global warming? Did the big rains make the Columbia River flow at an exceptional volume? What about sediment collected in the Grays? And did the CLT’s activities add to the problem?
PUBLIC MEETING
On the evening of March 21, 2006 the community of Grays River converged at the Rosburg Hall to find answers to the high water problem.
The CLT, like their neighbors, are a private entity. The CLT does receive public money but their status as an organization falls under the 501c3 category.
CLT wasn’t obligated to attend public meetings. Under state law governing habitat restoration, they aren’t obligated to pay property taxes either. Yet these enviro-activists feel compelled to do both.
RIVER CREST
Alan Whiting works with the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST). He studies lowlands on both sides of the mouth of the Columbia. He’s done work for Wahkiakum County.
He showed a chart of the Columbia River flow volume dating back to 1858. Some years there’s more water than others. And of course the flow changed after the big dams were put in up river in the 1930’s. I had to ask him who was compiling this data in 1858? He said there are studies that go back that far.
He produced a chart that tracked how the high tides, heavy rains and large flows made for big floods around these parts.
A FANCY WORD FOR SCIENCE
Next up was Chris May, a professor from the University of Washington. In his presentation, it seemed like he was trying too hard not to sound like a scientist. Regardless, he claimed the river is carrying more sediment that what is natural. He said trees, beaver ponds, log snags and stump roots hold silt. But when the stump roots rot away, the soil they hold gets washed out. Sometimes, hillsides with trees collapse on their own, he said. It takes 35 years for silt to get washed out. The energy from the heavily silted river flows over onto the fields because it needs to dissipate.
THE COLUMBIA LAND TRUST
Ian Sinks spoke representing the CLT. He was on the spot facing anxious valley dwellers.
He showed aerial photos of CLT property. The photos highlighted the work done to the property.
Many thoughtful questions arose by concerned residents about CLT activities. One of the first was if the CLT has plans on buying any more land? Mr. Sinks said that he’s not aware of any.
A big issue was the replacement of tide gates with large free-flowing culverts. Many in the audience claimed that this was the cause of much of the high water. They say the water is now flowing in another direction than usual.
Mr. Sinks replied that he didn’t know if this was so, but he intended to look into any potential impact of the new culverts on the valley.
SALMON?
Mr. Sinks spoke to the importance of wet spruce and hemlock land for juvenile salmonids. That’s when one stirred up person said, “Piss on the salmon!”.
This was the low point of the evening. The comment was unchallenged thus confirming my thinking that the meeting was devoid of any fishermen.
That crass comment is also a poor reflection of the sensibilities of the Grays River community at large.
There are valley landowners concerned about CLT activities that are participating in Conservation District programs for fish habitat restoration. Another entity, the Grays River Habitat Enhancement District -GRHED- (click here, here and here) is also very active in preserving fish for the river. (Our Grays River Grange, has endorsed two of their projects.)
Delvin Fredrickson is the chairman of the GRHED. He shared to those assembled the activities and various projects of the organization. He stressed that the GRHED seeks to make opportunities for salmon and people. Mr. Fredrickson got a rousing applause for this statement.
BARRIERS
More words were flying that week on the mouth of the Columbia. In Astoria OR, fisherman families held a rally protesting Bush policies on salmon. The Daily Astorian 3.24.06 headline read, WHITE HOUSE IS ‘SCREWING FISHERMEN’. In the story US Rep. David Wu said, “What we don’t need is some pencil-necked presidential science advisor come in here to build a wall between us and our river, between us and our fish,”
According to the paper, “Studies have shown that the dams account for approximately 80 percent of salmon mortality in the Columbia River system, said Jim Wells, president of Salmon For All. Habitat loss accounts for another 15 percent, he said, and fishing of all kinds – tribal, commercial, and sport - makes up the remaining 5 percent of salmon deaths.”
SMOKING GUN?
There was a document distributed to attendees that evening.
It was dated June 1, 2000, under the letterhead of the State Department of Fish & Wildlife and signed by Jeff P. Koenings, Ph.D., the agency Director. Addressed to then State Representative Mark Doumit, the letter summarized the “plans … to allow the Grays River to run its natural course in the flood plain”. And “unfortunately … this will affect landowners in the floodplain”. It also mentions of efforts to “buy property from willing sellers and create a habitat reserve”.
If the intention of the CLT is sincere concern for the community, this letter undermined them in the eyes of many.
The letter spoke to flooding regarding the upper Grays River and property near Satterlund Rd. Over half a decade ago a dike breached above the farms in that area.
The letter can come off as a cold bureaucratic slight toward the community. But it also speaks to national policy regarding wetlands. Current wetland preservation policy goes back to the Bush I administration. The idea was to preserve these lands without pushing people off through onerous regulations. Basically, the government wants to purchase wetlands.
TIME
If those new free flowing culverts did indeed cause damage, I believe they should be removed and replaced by functioning tide gates.
Ian Sinks told his neighbors that the CLT will look into any impact of their work.
But don’t hold your breath for any results soon. There will have to be an examination of empirical evidence on what is causing problems in Grays River before the CLT removes or alters any of its installations.
Maybe Grays River was hit by a confluence of silt, rain, tides and large flow volume, i.e. a perfect storm this year?
Maybe this is a cyclical event with a few more years of heartbreak in store? And it seems like a week doesn’t go by without yet another news story on global warming.
In the mean time, summer is coming. Better weather will take some pressure off the situation – for now.
LIBERTY
Wahkiakum County residents share a strong libertarian ethic. Live and let live is taken seriously in these parts.
The majority of residents take pride in ownership of their property. However, there are a few examples of those who don’t take the responsibilities of liberty seriously.
Some places around Deep River and the Grays look like an industrial dump. There are significant accumulations of derelict vehicles and machinery.
It’s been said that one person’s junk is another’s treasure. I’m sure there are hopes and dreams for the resurrection of that “vintage” arc welder that’s been in the rain for years. And the old, worn out line truck could roll on down the road some day again. As for that pile of mangled lawnmowers?
There are more adages – “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” And – “If you mind your own business, you won’t be minding mine.”
COMPULSION
Many are concerned that the CLT will buy more property. But how can we compel anyone from not buying or selling property – land or otherwise? To do so is an intrusion of government into private affairs. These intrusions do exist in the form of regulations and prohibitions. And when we head in that direction, for better or for worse, we impact liberty.
There is no eminent domain seizure or some kind of regulation like King County’s Critical Areas Ordinance at play here. The dynamic is set in free enterprise.
The Land Trust has purchased from willing landowners.
The property owners on the lower Grays could get tired of the problems regardless of what is causing them. Some could start to consider their property a liability.
Beleaguered landowners could easily change their perspective and see the situation as an opportunity. They could always offer their property at the best price a buyer will pay.
What is seen as flood prone swampland to one buyer is valuable riparian habitat to another. So there you have it – another willing seller to preservation efforts!
GRAYS RIVER GRANGE CARES
There are the real needs and values of the Western Wahkiakum community. There are also the needs and values of individuals. It’s up to individuals to make a community.
Like time itself, the river flows constantly. The forces of commerce flow in the same way. Let’s not get swept away. The important thing is to keep the dialog going.
Please post your comments and use this Blog as a way to work towards solutions. Non-Grange members are welcome to post.
Krist Novoselic, Master Grays River Grange
I'd like to say at least one nice thing before I comment on what you've written. Nice website. Truly.
I really appreciate your attempt at objectivity but I don't appreciate assumptions. It may come as a surprise but I have been involved in salmon restoration for 37 years. Ric was a salmon fisherman for 27 of those years.
Do your homework - research is everything & don't accept any one piece of info as gospel. This box is way too small to even begin a decent rebuttal. Best all...Cindy
Posted by: Cynthia Lahti | March 30, 2006 at 10:59 PM
Cynthia Lahti has her perspective on the March 22 meeting posted at,
http://www.washblog.com/story/2006/3/29/23235/7541
Thank you for posting here and the props on this new site. And thank you and Ric for all you’ve done for the Grays River Grange.
Respectfully,
Krist Novoselic
Posted by: Krist Novoselic | March 31, 2006 at 03:53 AM
Thanks, Krist, for putting together this web site and for starting a discussion on the flooding issue with regards to the land trust and habitat restoration.
I've had a hand in the flooding problems with the Grays since joining the old flood control board many years ago, and then chairing that board for several years. My experience taught me that there are many ways to view a problem and it is difficult to satisfy everyone with solutions.
Flooding evokes visceral responses as well: emotions often outweigh rational thinking and good science. Since I was not at the meeting in question I cannot speak specifically to the situation with the CLT dike removal, but this is what I do know:
1. The estuarine portions of lower Grays River are affected by the tides, which often has very little to do with flooding of the river. The day of the high water on Grays Bay, Deep River, and in parts of Grays River did not translate into flooding at my place on the upper Grays. In fact, I was surprised when I heard of the flooding downstream. An extreme high tide with the wind behind it would stack up Grays River enough to flood many areas, irrespective of flooding caused by heavy rainfall. It's my understanding that this particular tide caused high water all over the lower Columbia, to a level never seen by some.
2. The area of some of the worst flooding, down Kandoll Road, has been extremely flood prone, well before the dikes were removed by the CLT. One place in particular, the old Fenwick place, has flooded several times before, even when the dikes were in place. I know that the Fenwicks grew tired of the moldy, mildewy situation in barns and outbuildings, and even in their house, if I remember correctly.
3. Opening up dike land to flooding, in general, should relieve pressure on surrounding lands that may or may not be diked.
Finally, I have no doubts as to the integrity and honesty of Ian Sinks or the Columbia Land Trust and the effort to rehabilitate salmon-friendly, riparian habitat on the Lower Columbia and Grays and Deep rivers. I have donated to the trust and will continue to do so. The Spruce bogs of the low lying islands and shorelines of the Columbia make excellent habitat for salmon fry. If it can be shown that the dike removal project has had anything to do with flooding nearby than I am certain they will own up to it.
Beyond that, it is truly dismaying to see the CLT (and by connection all other land trusts) excoriated when they have acted in an open and transparent manner throughout the process of dike removal and habitat restoration. With no conclusive proof of wrongdoing they are being blamed for an event which, by all standards, was extreme and incomparable.
The CLT and other trusts are doing yeomans work in purchasing, preserving and protecting our nation's dwindling wetlands and farmlands and in offering them for public use. I don't see any private owners or developers doing that. Effectively there is now no public access to the Columbia River all along Altoona-Pillar Rock Road, as an example. Where fishermen once had access to shore there are now only fences and "no trespassing" signs.
Yes, the CLT has an agenda of returning most lands to a natural state, but they and other trusts nationwide also work out scenarios which preserve farms in perpetuity, by paying the difference in open market value to current farmers who desire their land to remain well husbanded rather than desecrated with housing tracts. Trusts focus on purchasing wetlands that are often marginally developable or that should not be developed in the first place. And, as in the case of the CLT, they still offer to pay property tax, which they have no legal obligation to do.
We in Wahkiakum County ought to welcome the CLT and other trusts with open arms rather than dismiss them so rudely.
Posted by: Steve Puddicombe | April 01, 2006 at 07:38 AM
First off the house on kandoll rd was built by the Ross's. It never had water in it when they lived there. As the homes were built long ago I don't believe one would intentionaly build if they would be flooded.
Most of us live out here because we care about the earth and do not relish housing developments. I have seen the deer and elks food supply destroyed, nesting places for ducks and geese gone, repatilan population wiped out not from homes built but from CLT Ducks Unlimited. We have tapes of dying salmon on the roads and Ian Sinks coment was a few must die for the greater good. Eagles nests run done my their equitment and trees pushed into the river it looked like a war zone when CLT was done.
It is no longer a place where people walk. The flying insects that carry the west nile virus call it home now. Ian assured us that he tested the flying bugs and they don't carry the virus does he think this beleivable?
Now they are admiting to causeing a protion of tidal flooding and they have had 10 months to do something and they haven't. On October 6-7-8-9-06 I took pix of water from their property already on the road and streaming across the drive way.
No most of us do not welcome CLT nor Ducks Unlimited. They destroyed the beautiful area the public once enjoyed. They prey on the elderly that are to frightened to take care of their land in fear of govermental fines. If they had known their land was to be destoryed and their neighbors left in ruins most people wouldn't sell to CLT. Their land is not for the public but for a selected few.
The worst thing about all of this is some people don't see the true picture the land is a tresure to care for. Animals require food to eat, ducks and geese require tall grass to nest in, snakes don't care to be flooded and killed, this is what CLT has taken away. I wanted to beleive they were in to presavation. The animals homes and food are gone. CLT is not a enity to be trusted. They can stop paying taxes at any time, that was one of the conditions to the seller selling not their idea. He could't keep the farm given his age, the family did'nt want to farm, we wish as a community we had access to the tax dollars CLT does as a community we would have bought it, kept it in a condition fitting to the enhancement of wild life and acess to all. We have been lied to by CLT it's all about the money for them. Substainable habitat is big bucks they have'nt substained only destroyed.
Posted by: raven webb | October 10, 2006 at 10:27 PM
I have always dreamed of a land that offered peace and beauty. A place one could walk among nature, hear the wings of fowl flying above, a place rich in riparian habitat, a place where deer and elk grazed, where ducks and geese graced the land with song, a place true and strong in natural beauty and virtue. In 2000 I found such a place, I was blessed.
2004 enter Columbia Land Trust an "enviormental preservation ' non governmental orgaization, I thought this is good the land will remain tomorrow as it is today rich in habitat, abundant in beauty, a wonderfull place. I convereced with the steward and asked for information on natural vegatation to keep in tune with nature. I thought all would be good.
Imagine my horror when trees began to be plowed over, splintered, destroyed, eagles nests runied, trees thrown into rivers, waterways buldozed/filled in, dikes breached, a 36 inch tide gate removed, replaced by two 13 foot culverets that swoosh salmon on to hay fields where they flop and die, grazzing lands destroyed. To my despair a county road altered a dike/road of mass perportions erected twelve feet high of rock, it is ugly. When waters come the waters push tons of gravel off this road filling the rivers with forgien substances, making the rivers shallow. This dike/road pevents anyone from walking with nature, no longer can one enjoy the scurry of animals and reptiles across the land as one walks, no longer can one meander and pick black berries or rose hips. One is no longer able to commune with nature the ugly CLT made monstrosity places man above nature, removed from tranquility, and life.
This monstosity is dangerous, my puppy slipped and rolled 12 feet down, I had to rescue him as the rocks were percarous. A veclile could easily roll off, one would not want to take a child walking in the area, it has been made dangerous to humans and habital alike. The natural beauty has been destroyed. Deer and elk no longer graze the fields, it has become a virtual waste land, a breeding ground for the West Nile Virus a mere shadow of the glorious place it once was. Destroyed by an organization that promised to perserve.
Posted by truth teller at 10:04 AM 0 comments
Labels: Nature
Posted by: raven | February 11, 2008 at 08:11 PM