The Final Environmental Impact Statement for Pierce County’s proposed Rivers Flood Hazard Management Plan was released Aug. 22. The statement evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the plan, as well as two alternative approaches.

The flood plan will guide the management of flooding and channel migration hazards on major rivers, large tributaries and associated floodplains over the next 20 years. It is a comprehensive approach to reducing damages from major river flooding and channel migration, protecting public safety and improving fish habitat.

“The Final Environmental Impact Statement outlines the impacts and benefits of the plan and its alternatives on the earth, water, plants and animals, natural resources, land and shoreline use, transportation, and public service and utilities, among others,” said Harold Smelt, manager of the Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Surface Water Management division.

The final version incorporates comments and new information the county received from the public and stakeholders during the review process.

The proposed Flood Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement will be brought before the Pierce County Council’s Economic Infrastructure and Development Committee at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 25. Committee meetings are televised on Pierce County TV, which can be found at www.piercecountytv.org.

A hearing before the full County Council will be scheduled based on a recommendation from the committee.