From Deseret News archives:
Washington County anxiously awaits flood funds
Officials hoping to finish work on rivers before snow melts
"We still have a great potential for flooding with such a high snowpack in the mountains," said Washington County Commissioner Jim Eardley, during a meeting held in St. George on Monday with state officials at the request of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. "We're most concerned about the Virgin River. We keep getting more snow in the mountains up there."
January's floods caused more than $180 million in damage to private and public property. Most of the 34 homes destroyed or structurally compromised were in the Green Valley area of St. George along the Santa Clara River. Much of the federal funds received to date were used to build rock berms and riprap riverbanks in the newly widened channel of that river.
A request by Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, for an additional $66 million to help stabilize riverbanks and protect watersheds in southern Utah will provide critical funds, said Eardley.
"We are very much hoping that money comes soon, otherwise we are still vulnerable in several areas," he said.
"We don't anticipate any changes in the funding Sen. Bennett secured for Utah flood relief," she said Monday afternoon.
Jason Chaffetz, Huntsman's chief of staff, along with Public Safety Commissioner Bob Flowers, arrived about 20 minutes late for the 9:30 a.m. meeting. Several people who arrived on time said they were unsure why they were there. A few of those invited to the meeting left before the governor's staff arrived.
"I didn't know anything about this," Eardley said with a big smile once Chaffetz was introduced to the group. "I guess I ought to check with the media every Monday to see what's going on."
In spite of the late start, Eardley said he was very pleased with the amount of attention Washington County has received from the governor's office.
Chaffetz said he was there to listen and learn, and to "make sure we're doing all we can do to help."
"It seems you're very well organized down here and we don't want to get in the way," said Chaffetz before asking questions about funding and potential trouble spots in the county.
Comments
- Quotes on the passing of Abe Pollin 8:04 p.m.
- Wizards owner Abe Pollin dies 8:02 p.m.
- Small-ball women's basketball 8:00 p.m.
- MSU kicks 2 off football team 7:59 p.m.
- Chairs of NFL concussion panel resign 7:56 p.m.
- Photo: Crafting nutcrackers 7:20 p.m.
- S.L. budget discussions continue 6:49 p.m.
- Man pleads guilty in assault 6:49 p.m.
- $25K reward offered in slaying 6:21 p.m.
- Step-father arrested in spanking 6:16 p.m.
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- Best prep football games of 2009
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- Kirilenko climbing blocks list
- Woman describes stabbing, killing
- Boys basketball rankings
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
225 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
223 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
180 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
179 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
137 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
136 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
116 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
104
"Go Support your Brothers | 5:10 p.m. Nov. 24, 2009 Hey Bingham Football...
I'm glad to see that America is still America, and the 1st Amendment stands....
The winner of the utah/byu game is the real loser if they get the ice-bowl in...
So the same people that say loudness is one reason they don't want the temple...
I love the lies from Obama. During the election He said He'd end the...
Saly Lake County Democrats are organizing? What's the point?
No, that is not true, "who else cry all the time?" Beck attacks the GOP just...
Those two ladies havent curtailed their shopping...their bags reflect times...
Obviously "Anon" doesn't know what the word "indigent" means. It means that...
I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy for these guys, and for EVERYONE!!! SOOOOOOOO...



You can be the first to comment on this story.