To all,
The Grays Harbor Conservation District is hosting two meetings for the citizens and community leaders that live and work in the lower Chehalis Valley. You may have received an invitation in the mail. There are two meetings, on at the Sharon Grange at 6 pm on the 19th of June and same agenda repeated at 8:30 the morning of the 20th of june at the Montesano City Hall.
There are three purposes for these meetings.

1. Understand some of the proposed specific projects. The legislature authorized 5 million dollars to work on projects to reduce impacts of flooding in the Chehalis Valley. There are three relevant categories of projects that can be used for projects in the valley including the Lower Basin. The legislation specifically named a couple of projects. These include improvements to the airport levy in Centralia, changes to the Sickman Ford Bridge in the Oakville area and improvements in the Satsop area. All projects under this funding must be spent by next June 30, 2013. For specifics...see section 313 of : http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdoc...re/5127.PL.pdf.

2. Propose, review, listen, involve, and engage locals citizens and staff in each area of the Lower Valley to hear your ideas, thoughts, concerns and suggestions on how and what actions would reduce flood impacts in future floods. The Flood Authority has done significant project brain storming and developed capacity to model proposed and potential projects; representatives of the Flood authority and Hydraulic modelers will be at these meetings to listen and provide input on existing ideas as well as thoughts, concerns and feedback that hopefully will come from your local knowledge.

3. The Governor's office and the Legislature asked for a report summarizing the options and potential solutions to reducing flooding impacts across the entire basin. This report is being developed now, and REALLY REALLY needs input from the citizens and leaders of the lower Chehalis Valley. This report will be finalized in July and August and will be considered heavily by future legislatures, Governors and Congressional leaders. Jim Kramer and the Ruckleshouse Center are building this legislative report for the Governor's office, Jim is an excellent listener and he will be at all the meetings to hear your thoughts.

Attached is a flyer with the two times and locations. Hope you are able to join us for one of these meetings.

Please feel free to forward to any of your neighbors who may be interested and able to attend these meetings.