King County's Clark receives national award for flood hazard reduction efforts

2004 Archived News

Dave Clark with Ron Sims (click for high resolution image)

King County Executive Ron Sims today praised Dave Clark, manager of the county's Flood Hazard Reduction Services section, for receiving a national award for leading programs that maintain and improve public safety in King County's floodplains.

The Association of State Floodplain Managers presented the "Larry R. Johnston Local Floodplain Manager of the Year Award" to Clark at its national conference in Mississippi last month. The association annually bestows the honor to just one floodplain manager in the entire nation, recognizing outstanding individual efforts and contributions at the local level. Executive Sims nominated Clark for the award in February.

"I can think of no better way to commemorate Dave's contributions and accomplishments during his outstanding career in public service," said Sims. "On his watch, King County's Flood Hazard Reduction programs boast a tremendous record in improving public safety and have distinguished King County as a national leader in flood preparedness."

Dave Clark and Ron Sims with part of the team

Sims noted that Clark has more than 30 years experience in public service with floodplain management, basin planning, and surface water management programs in King County. He was instrumental in writing and developing King County's first Shoreline Management Program, and has managed innovative and interdisciplinary efforts to conduct basin planning in urbanizing watersheds. Clark has also worked extensively in developing progressive flood hazard regulations as part of the County's first Sensitive Areas Ordinance.

As Floodplain Manager, Clark successfully responded to four federally declared flood disasters during the past 13 years. Flooding in November 1990 resulted in the loss of two lives, the damage and destruction of nearly 900 homes, and a total of $15 million in damages. Flooding events in November 1995, February 1996, and January 1997 caused an additional $11.3 million in damages. Under Clark's leadership and management, King County leveraged approximately $10.4 million for flood repairs and assistance to residents in King County.

In response to these devastating events, Clark spearheaded development of the innovative 1993 Flood Hazard Reduction Plan. This nationally recognized plan established a comprehensive River Management Program, earning King County a Class-4 rating under the Community Rating System of the National Flood Insurance Program, making King County the highest rated county government in the nation. Under Dave's leadership, King County became a Cooperating Technical Partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, updating flood boundary maps as part of its Map Modernization Program.

Clark's floodplain management efforts have resulted in King County's status as a national leader in channel migration zone mapping. He implemented development of a state-of-the-art Flood Warning Program, as well as numerous other flood hazard reduction and mitigation measures. These include strategies for home buyouts, home elevations, and the maintenance and repair of approximately five hundred flood protection facilities along King County's six major river systems.

For more information about King County's efforts to prepare for flooding, visit the Flooding Topics Web page.