Vancouver, Wash. – A draft watershed assessment to identify stormwater management strategies for restoring Whipple Creek is available for public review and comment.

Public comments will be until Friday, Sept. 1. The document is posted on the county’s website, www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/whipple-creek-watershed-assessment. Paper copies are available at the Three Creeks Community Library, 800 N.E. Tenney Road, and Clark County Public Works Clean Water Division in the Public Service Center, Room 150, 1300 Franklin St.

The Whipple Creek watershed drains from the hills just east of Interstate 5, near Washington State University Vancouver, west to Lake River.

The assessment was completed as required by the Washington State Department of Ecology’s NPDES Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit. King, Pierce and Snohomish counties must perform similar assessments.

Clark County drafted the assessment to identify strategies that, if put in place, would support the state’s “designated uses” for the creek, such as fish and wildlife habitat, recreation and aesthetics.

The assessment describes Whipple Creek’s current degraded health. Parameters include water temperature, heavy metals and fecal coliform bacteria. The assessment used computer models to measure the potential benefit stormwater treatment facility and other strategies, such as planting trees, would have on restoring Whipple Creek.

The assessment concluded that fully restoring Whipple Creek’s designated uses to state standards would cost more than $300 million. Clark County does not envision spending that amount, but the assessment will help the county rank practical, measurable improvements for Whipple Creek.

“The Whipple Creek watershed has a mix of large residential lots, subdivisions, commercial sites and agriculture, as well as popular natural areas like Whipple Creek Regional Park,” said Dean Boening, Clean Water Division manager. “We now have a strong baseline picture of the creek’s health and can make informed decisions about protecting it in future years.”

Public comments about the plan can be submitted to Cleanwater@clark.wa.gov or by calling Rod Swanson at 360.397.6118 ext. 4345. The final report will be submitted to the state by Sept. 6. 

CONTACT
Dean Boening
Clean Water manager
Public Works
360.397.6118 ext. 4264
dean.boening@clark.wa.gov