Some goals require a lifetime to achieve. Al Schmauder has worked for over 20 years to raise money for the removal of this dam that stops Chinook salmon from migrating upstream. After the funds were appropriated by Congress, it was the local public works department that gave the dam a low priority. The design for the removal of the dam has been delayed until after building a new bridge is designed over the creek.
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At the Fall Environmental Coalition Conference, Al Schmauder shared his frustrations with getting three water projects in Chambers-Clover Watershed funded. It was sad to see how difficult it is to make changes in an entrenched bureaucracy. But this time, he proposed a solution whose time is possibly near.
Removal of Dam at Chambers Creek Bay
The dam removal has been unnecessarily delayed for 6 years. County engineers have said a new bridge must be built before the Dam is removed. Schmauder is advocating for a partial lowering of the dam by making a 10’ X 4’ opening at the top of the dam, which would allow fish passage at high tide, sediment nourishment of estuary, and tidal influence above the dam.
People can see Chinook salmon spawning in the creek along the new trail planned for Chambers Creek Canyon. Tribal and ESA issues can be resolved while a new bridge is being built. “We should speed up dam removal while funding is available and the fish still remember how to swim upstream.
Fix Storm Drains and Stop Pollution in Clover Creek Watershed
There are hundreds of pipes draining polluted runoff from roads to creeks and water bodies from storm drains from 112th street to Military Road.
The county collects a surface water tax of about half of the annual storm water funding ($22 mi) from Chambers-Clover residents. Over 95% of this money is spent in other watersheds. In this year’s budget, only ONE project, a “C” Street drain, is planned for completion over the next 6 years. Pierce County Stormwater Managers need to change their priorities and fund more stormwater projects and increase water quality improvements where it is most needed in the Clover Creek Watershed.
Drinking Water – How Long Will our Drinking Water Last? Is it Becoming Polluted with PFAS?
The county has started a program to make sure none of the private water companies will fail financially. The program is to ensure that over the next decade, we will not run out of water. The overall need for more water hook-ups continues to increase as another 100,00 people will move here.
Is there even adequate drinking water in the ground for the 400,000 residents in the Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed? After a meeting with Public Works engineers, Schmauder discovered that there was no agency totaling up the annual amount of water withdrawals by the county’s seven water companies. Al has proposed that the Health Department start a well monitoring program to answer these questions:
- Is water withdrawal causing Clover Creek to run dry?
- What effect is water removed by the sewer system having on groundwater levels?
- Lakewood Water District has 12 wells contaminated with a dangerous chemical (PFAS) used on McChord AB for firefighting. The company is providing water to 5 upstream companies who need more water. Will PFAS contaminate more wells?
No one is monitoring the status of our drinking water, usage trends, or well levels. If residents want information, the county’s Point of Contact is in the Sewer Department. To effectively solve these problems, a new County Executive who listens needs to be elected, like Ryan Mello. We also need to re-elect Jani Hitchen back to the County Council, where she can help ensure the above three issues receive adequate attention in the county budget.
Pierce County citizens need to know whether or not their water supply is adequate to keep water companies pumping and clean enough that it can be used to recharge our aquifers and get creeks flowing again.