County Council approves study on structures in floodways

The Pierce County Council was not all wet in its efforts to pass a resolution pertaining to floodplain management regulations that would promote public safety.

At its Feb. 16 meeting, the council unanimously passed Resolution No. R2021-3s, addressing hazardous areas and conditions of deep and/or fast flowing floodways. The resolution calls for the initiation of a review of ways to improve information distribution to current and prospective property owners in designated DFF water floodways, recommendations regarding relocation assistance to those whose homes suffer substantial damage, and identifying options for allowing the repair or reconstruction of “nonconforming, residentially occupied structures.”

Councilmember Amy Cruver, who sponsored the bill, lauded the resolution’s protection of both “public safety and property rights.”

“The underlying concern here is making sure that we don’t either continue to allow more building in dangerous areas or for people to stay in them for longer periods of time than necessary,” Council Chair Derek Young said.

Future ordinances — a rule, law or statute — based on this resolution are likely to come before the council for consideration, Young indicated.