UPDATE: LFP Awarded $3 Million from FEMA to Construct Flood Reduction Project

On Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, the City was awarded a $3 million grant from FEMA to complete design and construction of the Lyon Creek Bypass Project. The 60-inch bypass will provide flood protection for the Sheridan Beach and Town Center area of the City by capturing high flows upstream of the floodplain and diverting them to a point downstream near Lake Washington.

“The City is thrilled that FEMA has awarded the City funding through a competitive grant process, to construct a project to alleviate the regional flooding problem experienced in Lake Forest Park," Mayor Mary Jane Goss said. "The support of Senator Patti Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, Representative Jay Inslee and Representative Jim McDermott, along with the cities of Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds,  were crucial to obtaining the FEMA funding."

The City staff and elected officials past and present have worked for many years to this end while Hal Hiemstra from the firm of Ball Janik guided the city through the process, Goss added.  

Damage from previous significant storm events has amounted to over $4,000,000, she said.

"This project will alleviate this problem, and allow the City to focus on mitigating other flooding in Lake Forest Park," Goss said. "The City is committed to designing the project with public input,  and to ensure the project is designed to provide protection of the environment and fish population.”

The City and elected officials have worked tirelessly for many years to identify and acquire funding for this $4.235 million project. King County Flood Control District has committed to providing $1.05 million and the City is responsible for the remaining $185,000. Much of the City’s funding share has already been spent designing the project to its current level.

Project Schedule
• Design: October 2012 – October 2013
• Public Involvement: Ongoing 
• Construction: October 2013 – September 2015
• Project Complete: September 2015

The City is committed to ensuring that the project is environmentally/fish friendly. The City has worked to provide numerous opportunities for public involvement and will continue to provide opportunities to ensure the project is designed to protect the environment and the fish population.

Source: City of Lake Forest Park