Pierce County Receives $450,000 for Puyallup River Flood Study

Pierce County announced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allocated $450,000 to continue studying strategies to address significant flooding issues along the Puyallup River.

Known as the Puyallup River General Investigation, the study is a six-year, cooperative process involving local jurisdictions and partners. The study is now in its second year, and the allocated funds will allow the study to continue with no delays. 

"Thousands of jobs in Pierce County's flood plain depend on minimizing flood risk and protecting vital resources," said U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA). "This investment will go a long way in building a plan that best protects against loss of life and property in the Puyallup River basin."

The Puyallup River Executive Task Force, established by Pierce County in 2008, is providing regional coordination for the General Investigation. The Task Force includes most local jurisdictions in the Puyallup River Basin as well as Pierce County, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the Port of Tacoma, King County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Washington Department of Transportation and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.

"The funding being allocated to the Puyallup River General Investigation is a result of hard work by Task Force members and the entire delegation of Washington state's congressional representatives," said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy. "This project is a high priority."

The Puyallup River basin includes the Puyallup, Carbon, and White Rivers. All begin on Mount Rainier and eventually flow into the Puyallup River and Commencement Bay in Tacoma. 

"The Puyallup River basin covers more than 1,000 square miles and is home to about 280,000 people," said County Council Chair Joyce McDonald (District 2). "Much of our economy, particularly as it relates to the Port of Tacoma, is within an area that would be dramatically affected by flooding. With so many jobs dependent on activities at the port, it's vital that we continue this study."

For more information about the Puyallup River Executive Task Force, go to www.piercecountywa.org/etf.

Editor's Note: This is a press release from Pierce County