Federal Grant Denied for LFP Flooding Problem

A Washington state grant is currently helping the Lake Forest Park city officials prepare Lyon and McAleer Creeks for flood seasons in place of a denied federal grant for 2011.

Lake Forest Park's federal grant application was denied due to what FEMA called, a few technical errors in their application.

The city began taking action against the flood problem in 2008.

“We did an exhaustive study of flood issues and have a strategic plan of what we want to do to decrease these issues,” City Administrator David Cline said.

In 2011, the city applied for the $3.4 million pre-disaster mitigation grant to build a bypass in Lion Creek that would divert any excess water into Lake Washington. Currently, the overflow from Lyon Creek simply flows into McAleer Creek, causing overflow from both creeks to flood residential areas and Lake Forest Park Towne Centre. The city was instructed to include more specific calculations on the cost benefit of the bypass.

“We will apply for the exact same thing in 2012,” Cline said.

Though the 2011 federal grant was denied, the city has been given a $250,000 state grant to help prevent some flooding. This money has helped build a smaller version of the bypass in McAleer Creek. The McAleer Creek bypass is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. This bypass will help for this season, but it is not a permanent solution. Cline is very hopeful that their application for the federal grant will be a success next year.

The Lake Forest Park City Council Study Session will be focusing on the flooding issues of Lion and McAleer Creeks this Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. Come to the meeting for more information about future plans as well as current actions.