By Dave Hallock<\/p>\n
There was a good turnout of concerned neighbors for a meeting December 12th in Rockport regarding the \u201cBarnaby Reach Project,\u201d an initiative spearheaded by the Skagit River System Cooperative. The primary focus of the meeting had to do with recent study work on drainage related flooding in the Martin Road neighborhood area of the project. The meeting also featured an excellent presentation by Erin Lowery of Seattle City Light regarding how dam flows were managed during a November, 2017, flood. Erin\u2019s talk is covered in another article.<\/p>\n
To begin the meeting, Project manager Devin Smith stated that the Barnaby Reach Project\u2019s over-riding purpose is to, \u201crevitalize salmon and improve the ecological function of the Barnaby Reach, while addressing community values such as flood and erosion risk reduction.\u201d Smith noted that the project has specific goals, including, “restoring natural flood plain processes to benefit native fish and wildlife.\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s also an emphasis specifically on habitat for chinook, steelhead and other salmon species,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s also an interest in protecting private property and timber structures from any potential affects from the project,\u201d Smith said. \u201cAnd, then, additionally, to include measures to reduce existing flood and erosion risks,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd, then the last objective is around recreation\u2026to identify potential recreational improvements.\u201d<\/p>\n
I was pleased to hear Devin emphasize the importance of protecting our neighbors\u2019 properties from any potential affects from the project!<\/p>\n
You can read the formal statement of the project\u2019s purpose, goals, objectives and strategies here:<\/p>\n