HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-0106-25R JEFFERSON COUNTY
STATE OF WASHINGTON
In the Matter of a
Declaration of Emergency; RESOLUTION NO. 03-0106-25R
Due to County Road Damage
WHEREAS, significant rainfall on Jefferson County's West End from mid-December to
present(1/6/2025) 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(CR# 914207)near MP 9.8
was damaged, as was approx. 85 linear feet of the Quinault South Shore Road(CR# 911607)
near MP 1.3; and
WHEREAS,in both locations the roads have been closed to vehicular traffic and
ongoing erosion will likely render both roads impassable; and
WHEREAS,subsequent weather events are likely to threaten additional segments of the
Upper Hoh Road, near MP 9.8,and the Quinault South Shore Road, near MP 1.3, upstream from
past emergency repairs at both sites; and
WHEREAS,there are no full-time County residents upstream from the site, but the
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 Park access
be lost; and
WHEREAS,Jefferson County has been working diligently with our partners to try to
find a solution for this repair, including the: City of Forks, Federal Highways Administration,
Hoh Tribe, Olympic National Park, Quinault 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,immediate preventative action and repair are the best ways to prevent
further damage and to restore essential services; and
WHEREAS,a suitable funding source will need to be identified, and the Board's
declaration of emergency is required in order to make the County eligible for federal emergency
response funds;
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.
Page 1 of 2
Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Resolution is to have the Board of Jefferson County
Commissioners declare that a state of emergency exists. Such declaration is required in order to
make the County eligible for potential emergency response funding. It also authorizes the County
Department of Public Works to enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to make
emergency repairs as soon as suitable funding is identified and without regard to the time
consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law, with the exception of mandatory
constitutional requirements.
Section 3.Declaration of a state of emergency. Jefferson County Board of Commissioners hereby
declare that a state of emergency exists.
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 W day of MUD , 2025.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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Page 2 of 2
Department of Public Works
O Consent Agenda
Page 1 of 1
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: Declaration of Emergency due to County Road Damage
Statement of Issue:
Declaration of Emergency due to damage on both the Upper Hoh Road, County Road No.
914207, at milepost (MP) 9.8, and the Quinault South Shore Road, County Road No. 911607, at
MP 1.3.
Analysis/Strategic Goals/Pro's It 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 both roads impassable. There are no full-time County
residents upstream from the damage. The Board's declaration of a state of emergency is
required in order to make the County eligible for potential emergency response funding. It
also provides the Department of Public Works with authorization to proceed with emergency
repairs when funds are available, without regard to the time consuming procedures and
formalities prescribed by law, with the exception of mandatory constitutional requirements.
Fiscal Impact/Cost Benefit Analysis:
Public Works has been working with our state and federal partners to identify funds to address
the damage and restore access. Until such time as suitable funding is found to make the
necessary repairs both roads will remain closed.
Recommendation:
Declare that a state of emergency exists due to County Road damage.
Department Contact: Eric Kuzma, 360-385-9167
Reviewed By:
( 0 1/4.)
Mark McCauley, unty Administrator Date