The Administration plans to add an environmental education component to their new flood mitigation plan.

Severe Bear Creek flooding behind the Safeway and Redmond Town Center may be less common when the new Flood Mitigation Plan is fully implimented.

Redmond travelers, business owners, and residents have continual concerns about winter flooding hitting our area. Tom Fix, stormwater engineer for the City of Redmond and others in the Administration have worked hard to provide a Comprehensive Flood Hazard Plan for Greater Redmond. The complete update is posted on the city website

The City Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has played a key role on flood mitigation. According to Mr. Hitch, the City has been working to :

• update the City's Hazard Mitigation Plan for all disasters, including flooding. The County is proceeding with flood plain mapping for the river.
• improve the lower channel of Bear Creek as part of WSDOT's construction of four additional lanes to SR520.
• improve habitat restoration along the river that includes removal of some soil, improving flood capacity and planting of native vegetation.
  
• promote "limited impact development" (LID ) , particularly in North Redmond. LID practices should reduce surface flow, and thereby reduce flooding.
  
• mitigate risks to our groundwater protection zones from hazardous materials during flood events; this is part of the evaluation of the City's groundwater protection program.
  
• develop a new water quality facility that may be built in 2009 or 2010 near Bear Creek. This project will include an educational component that will address floodplain issues.

Environmental education and riparian (stream habitat) corridor restoration is icing on the cake. Thanks Steve Hitch, DNR, and the Administration for your dilligence and efforts!

Any of your flood related questions can be directed to Steve Hitch, 425-556-2891 or shitch@redmond.gov

Redmond's Comprehensive Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan city web page.