August 17, 2000 News Release Snoqualmie River bank project to protect property and fish King County will begin work this month to provide bank stabilization and habitat in chronically flood-damaged areas of the Snoqualmie River. The county, in a collaborative effort with the City of Snoqualmie, will repair three sections of riverbank between River Street and Meadowbrook Avenue SE upstream of Snoqualmie Falls. The project will provide protection to several homes and a public park. "This project will repair areas particularly hard hit by the severe floods of 1995 and 1996," said Snoqualmie Mayor Randy "Fuzzy" Fletcher. "Preventing further erosion is the best insurance against future damage to the homes and property along the river," he said. "The City looks forward to the completion of this project and the riverbank-widening project, to be completed next year by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, both of which are major elements in our flood reduction program." King County Department of Natural Resources crews will use all natural materials such as tree stems and rootwads, secured by 30-feet deep timber pilings in the riverbed, to push flows away from the riverbank. Redirecting the river's current will protect it from further erosion. This innovative and environmentally friendly design, called "biostabilization" is an increasingly popular solution for riverbank repair. "Although our primary purpose for this project is to protect property, it will also enhance river channel habitat for both fish and wildlife," said Pam Bissonnette, Director of King County's Department of Natural Resources. "Instead of traditional techniques such as rock riprap that can displace fish, we are trying to be more compatible with all the species that use the river. Biostabilization is not only very fish-friendly, but the costs per foot of bank protected are within our normal range, so the taxpayers are getting more benefit for their dollar." Native plants will be used on the upper banks to create wildlife habitat and shade the water; a benefit to fish. A layer of woven coconut fiber, which will disintegrate over time, will be used to secure the plants in place until they begin to thrive and grow roots, reinforcing the soil. The City of Snoqualmie obtained the majority of funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding was available as a result of the state of emergency declaration during the 1995 and 1996 floods. Construction on the river is allowed until October 15. For additional information about Snoqualmie River Bank Stabilization Project, call Tom Bean at (206) 296-8377. Additional information about the topic of flooding can be found on the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks Web site at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/. - end -

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