Ephrata City Council Approves Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Ephrata City Council has approved a grant application to develop a flood hazard mitigation plan for a crucial part of the downtown area. The city aims to secure $112,500 from the Strategic Infrastructure Program, administered by the Grant County Economic Development Council. Ephrata will provide a 25% match, valued at $37,500, through in-kind staff work.

Gray & Osborne Inc., a consulting engineering firm, will draft the mitigation plan. This initiative is the first step towards potentially removing 533 acres from a FEMA-designated flood zone. This designation has historically affected construction and remodeling due to stringent building regulations and rising homeowners' insurance rates in the area.

City engineer Shawn O'Brien, alongside grants/projects engineer Dave Bren, indicated that this plan could enable Ephrata to qualify for FEMA's non-disaster flood mitigation grants. These grants could fund the phased construction of a flood diversion system initially proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1972.

The flood hazard issue primarily results from runoff from snowmelt and rain to the area west of Ephrata, which enters downtown near First Avenue N.W. Although a diversion channel excavated in 1974 directs water away, enhancements such as concrete lining are necessary to ensure its effectiveness and reliability, according to the Army Corps' original plans.

Bren also referenced new state mapping with precise elevation data suggesting that up to 175 acres should not be included in the current flood zone designation. Reassessing these areas could result in substantial benefits by adjusting homeowners' insurance rates accordingly.

In related council matters, a resolution was adopted to streamline cash transactions following the U.S. Mint's cessation of penny production. According to Kristen McDonnell of the finance department, minor discrepancies up to four cents will be credited to customers’ utility accounts to minimize financial impact.

The council is also exploring legislation on temporary political campaign signs to balance public safety and free speech. Additionally, the newly sworn-in police officer, Romen Hernandez, transitions to law enforcement, bringing experience from his backgrounds in the Navy and healthcare.