This week’s heavy rainfall has prompted flood warnings throughout the Puget Sound region as rivers become choked with both runoff and debris.

This news serves a good reminder of some of the environmental benefits associated with the completion of State Route 167.

The proposed project calls for riparian restoration work along the Hylebos and Wapato creeks as mitigation for the construction of the highway. The work would create new channel migration zones and riparian buffers so that flooding and channel migration is not detrimental to houses, roads, private property or public infrastructure.

WSDOT predicts approximately 246 acres would be inundated during a 100-year flood event under existing conditions. Construction of the new stream channels, improvements to stream crossings and removal of existing obstructions to flood flows would improve the flooding condition.

The result is that the flooded area is predicted to decrease to 187 acres—a 25 percent reduction over existing conditions. In fact, state officials believe replacing lost floodplain storage through the construction of SR 167 would better manage stormwater than construction of conventional detention facilities.

During this Thanksgiving week, we encourage lawmakers to stay dry and look for ways to complete this highway of statewide significance. It’s good not only for mobility and the economy, but also for addressing localized flooding in the watershed.