HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION re Closure of the Upper Hoh Road Department of Public Works
O Consent Agenda
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Jefferson County
Board of County Commissioners
Agenda Request
To: Board of Commissioners
Mark McCauley, County Administrator
From: Monte Reinders, P.E., Public Works Director/County Engineer
Agenda Date: January 6, 2025
Subject: Upper Hoh Road Closure (County Road #914207) - MP 9.8
Statement of Issue:
Emergency road closure of the Upper Hoh Road, County Road #914207, at milepost (MP) 9.8 to
all vehicular traffic.
Analysis/Strategic Goals/Pro's a Con's:
High rainfall on Jefferson County's West End from mid-December to present led to flooding
which has caused significant road damage. Ongoing erosion combined with subsequent
weather events are likely to render the road impassable. There are no full-time County
residents upstream from MP 9.8 but visitors to the Olympic National Park Hoh Rainforest Area
could become stranded beyond MP 9.8 if the road were to completely wash out. The Board of
County Commissioners is authorized by Chapter 47.48 RCW to close the road by Resolution.
Given the current state of the County Road Fund Public Works has been working with our
partners to identify alternative funds to restore access. Until such time as adequate funding is
found to make the necessary repairs the road closure shall remain in effect.
Fiscal Impact/Cost Benefit Analysis:
Olympic National Park has communicated that a complete loss of the road would have
catastrophic impact for them. There is also the economic impact to the region should Hoh
Rainforest Park Area tourist access be lost.
The passing of a Resolution acknowledging the closure has little fiscal impact except for the
negligible cost of publishing a public notice of the closure.
Recommendation:
Adopt the proposed Resolution in the matter of closure of the Upper Hoh Road, County Road
No. 914207, at MP 9.8 to all vehicular traffic.
Department Contact: Eric Kuzma, 360-385-9167
Reviewed By:
l 3 01s`
Mark McCaul County Administrator A mini Datd
JEFFERSON COUNTY
STATE OF WASHINGTON
In the Matter of Closure
of the Upper Hoh Road RESOLUTION NO.
County Road No. 914207
WHEREAS, significant rainfall on Jefferson County's West End from mid-December to
present(1/6/2025) has resulted in flooding and associated streambank erosion which included the
Hoh River cresting at approx. 30,000 cfs on 12/18/24; and
WHEREAS,approx. 250 linear feet of the Upper Hoh Road near MP 9.8 has been
damaged and ongoing erosion will likely render the road impassable; and
WHEREAS, a hazard exists at this site to the motoring public; and
WHEREAS,persons and/or property may be threatened or damaged and access to
property may be impaired unless emergency efforts are taken to reduce the threat to life and
property; and
WHEREAS,there are no full-time County residents upstream from MP 9.8 but visitors to
the Olympic National Park Hoh Rainforest could become stranded beyond MP 9.8 if the road were
to completely wash out; and
WHEREAS, Olympic National Park has closed the Hoh Rainforest Park Area; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the Olympic National Park, Jefferson County has notified our
other partners, including the: City of Forks, Federal Highways Administration, Hoh Tribe, The
Nature Conservancy, US Army Corps of Engineers, WA Dept. of Fish& Wildlife, Western
Federal Lands, WA Dept. of Transportation, and State legislative staff; and
WHEREAS,the Public Works Department shall erect signage and barricades to prevent
unauthorized vehicular traffic from entering the closed road segment. Said closure shall remain in
effect until such time as adequate funding has been found to make the necessary repairs; and
WHEREAS,Chapter 47.48 R.C.W. authorizes closure of roads;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
JEFFERSON COUNTY,WASHINGTON,HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Whereas Clauses are Findings of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
hereby adopts the above "Whereas"clauses as Findings of Fact.
Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Resolution is to have the Board of Jefferson County
Commissioners authorize emergency closure of the Upper Hoh Road to vehicular traffic at MP
9.8.
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Section 3.Declaration of Road Closure. Jefferson County Board of Commissioners hereby declare
the Upper Hoh Road closed to vehicular traffic at MP 9.8.
Section 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or section of this
Resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this
Resolution or its application to other persons or circumstances shall be fully valid and shall not be
affected.
Section 5. SEPA Categorical Exemption. This Resolution is categorically exempt from the State
Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-11-800 (19).
Section 6. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect and be in full force immediately upon
passage by the Board of County Commissioners.
ADOPTED and APPROVED this day of , 2025.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
SEAL:
Heather Dudley-Nollette, District 1
Heidi Eisenhour, District 2
ATTEST:
Greg Brotherton, District 3
Carolyn Gallaway, CMC Date onte Reinders, P.E., Date
Clerk of the Board Public Works Director/County Engineer
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