King County Flood District accepting applications for flood reduction grant program

For the Reporter

The King County Flood Control District is accepting grant applications to fund programs that reduce the impact of local flooding.

The grant program targets flood reduction projects throughout King County. Total funds available in 2015 will be $2.88 million.

“In its first year, the Flood Reduction Grant program helped more than a dozen municipalities and organizations to address what was often persistent and longstanding flooding concerns,” said Reagan Dunn, King County Flood Control District chair. “If you have a flooding issue in your community that needs funding to address the issue, I’d encourage you to work with your local municipality, HOA, or other qualified group to apply for a grant.”

“Last year, this grant program funded critical projects that directly aid those most impacted by flooding, including ones that support agricultural drainage and others that prevent severe flooding impacts,” said Kathy Lambert, King County Flood Control District Supervisor. “I look forward to seeing another great list of projects in this year’s grant process.”

“It is imperative for the Flood Control District to provide vulnerable communities with the necessary resources to reduce the risk of damage in the event of a flood,” said Pete von Reichbauer, King County Flood Control Supervisor. “This grant program has proven beneficial to communities throughout King County and I look forward to expanding this opportunity so that it reaches many more.”

“This program supports smaller cities and organizations that often cannot pay for important flood protection projects,” said King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove. “It is great that the district can help solve local flooding problems.”

Eligible applicants include homeowner associations, private nonprofit organizations or associations, schools, special districts, tribes and King County jurisdictions.

Eligible projects include but are not limited to those that address:

· Localized flooding

· Surface water overflows

· Near-shore flooding

· Lake flooding due to outflow blockage

· Assessment of existing conditions in order to create a lake management district

· Clearing a clogged agricultural drainage system

· Maintaining access to goods and infrastructure that serve a larger agricultural economy

· Providing navigable water channels for industry and recreation

All eligible projects must include on-the-ground structural improvements as a deliverable.

The deadline for applications is May 29. Proposals will be reviewed and selected by the King County Flood Control District, and funded projects must be completed within 36 months of receiving funds.

For more information about the application process, the complete list of eligibility requirements and the application form, go to www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org/grants.

For questions on the application process, or for assistance, please contact King County River and Floodplain Management at wlr-rivers@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-7777.