Logjam poses greater threat to area homes

River's new route could change experts' proposals

LORRINE THOMPSON, THE OLYMPIAN

THURSTON COUNTY -- A large logjam choking the Deschutes River near Waldrick Road is growing larger and forcing the river to cut deeper channels around it.

The change in river activity could alter what experts think should be done about the logjam, county commissioners heard Wednesday in a two-hour meeting.

Commissioners said they are committed to making a decision about the logjam next week, after hearing from legal experts and after they meet with residents affected by the logjam Monday night.

"I'm getting anxious that we are able to come to effective closure on this," County Administrator Don Krupp said.

"Particularly for the property owners," Krupp said, "they need to start making some choices, regardless of what the county decides."

Commissioners have been advised that clearing the logjam could make the county liable for impacts to other properties, and requires many permits from several state and federal agencies.

The cost of a partial clearing of the jam has been estimated at $1.6 million by county staff.

However, if the county takes no action, several property owners are likely to lose their homes because the river is flooding around the logjam in search of a new path.

The jam has been building for several years and is more than 1,200 feet long.

The logjam has grown in the past week, said emergency services coordinator Kathy Estes, although she does not have a new estimated length.

"Visually I can tell there's been some growth since last week," she said.

In addition, the river is flowing more strongly into side channels around the jam, flooding property near some homes.

'More water'

"There's more water in both channels than we saw last week," said Kevin Dragon, a planner with the county Water and Waste Management department.

"This has cut quite a bit more dramatically," said Eric Winters, an engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers, which is helping the county evaluate the logjam situation.

"Things have changed since these channels have opened up," Winters said.

The Corps of Engineers experts initially suggested some clearing and dredging of part of the logjam, to help the river's natural movement in cutting a new path to the west.

Now with stronger, deeper channels being formed, Winters said, the engineers suggest the county wait and see what the river does. Commissioners also learned that:

- The Deschutes River would not be considered navigable, so the land near and under the river would be considered private property of the residents who own land next to the river.

- Some small grant programs exist that might help the county, or help private property owners, with some costs of taking action.

- There's no good way to measure what the county's liability would be if it were to clear or partially clear the logjam, nor is there a way to know for certain what the impact would be on properties downstream.

After experts spoke, residents and people who own property near the logjam told commissioners they wanted to speak.

"When are we going to have a chance to talk?" asked Clara Stansbury, whose property is near an outfall creek between the river and Offut Lake.

Stansbury's property is flooding significantly because of backed-up water from the logjam, with water that is growing muddy because of the new channels being cut.

"I think you need to hear from the people," said Bruce Carr, who lives on Offut Lake with his wife, Gina.

"We need to absorb what you've been presenting, and we need time to present our arguments," Carr said.

Gina Carr said levels at Offut Lake are high because of backup from the river near the logjam.

Moving quickly

The county was moving quickly in trying to find a solution, but commissioners would be happy to meet with residents, Commissioner Cathy Wolfe said.

"I apologize if it's been too fast," she said.

Janet McCarthy, who owns a home close to the river that is at risk of being damaged, said she looks forward to meeting with commissioners.

"We've been wanting a collaborative process," said McCarthy, who has lived in her home since 1974.

McCarthy has lost significant property because of the river's encroachment, and worries about losing her home. She'd like the county to help clear the logjam.

"It may be private property, but we're at the constraint of public policy," she said of the numerous environmental laws regarding river property.

"Otherwise, we would have dealt with it when it was (small) enough for us to do it," McCarthy said of property owners.

It doesn't seem equitable for state, federal and county government to strongly restrict property owners, but then say a situation that develops because of those restrictions belongs solely to property owners, she said.

But McCarthy admits the situation is complicated.

"This doesn't have an easy answer. I think that's obvious," she said. "Otherwise, (county officials) are smart, caring people. I think they would act."

Lorrine Thompson covers Thurston County and health for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5431.

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