City of Mount Vernon

Determination of Significance and

Notice of Public Hearing on Scope of EIS

Proponent:  City of Mount Vernon

Project Name:  Mount Vernon Downtown Flood Protection

Project Description: The Mount Vernon Downtown Flood Protection Project is being proposed to protect the City's downtown area from flood damage up to and including the 100-year event on the Skagit River. In addition to flood protection, the project's goals include enhancing public access to the shoreline and river and maintaining the existing availability of parking in the downtown area. Flood protection alternatives being considered include enhancement of an existing levee with potential alternate levee alignments in some locations; construction of a new floodwall; and no action.

Location: Left bank of the Skagit River at Mount Vernon, from approximately River Mile (RM) 12 to approximately RM 13.2.

Lead Agency:  City of Mount Vernon

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Required: The city of Mount Vernon, acting as the SEPA lead agency for this proposal, has determined that the proposal is likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(C). This decision was made after a review of the information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public on request.

The lead agency has identified the following potential areas for discussion in the EIS: Earth; Surface Water Movement/Quantity/Quality; Runoff/Absorption; Plants and Animals; Land and Shoreline Use; Transportation, specifically parking; Historic and Cultural Preservation; and Utilities.

Scoping:  Agencies, affected tribes, and members of the public are invited to comment on the scope of the EIS. You may comment on alternatives, mitigation measures, probable significant adverse impacts, and licenses or other approvals that may be required. The method and deadline for giving us your comments is by (1) submitting your written comments to the Responsible Official by 5:00 PM on July 18, 2006 AND/OR (2) presenting oral comments at the public hearing.

PUBLIC HEARING:   A public hearing will be held before the Responsible Official on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Mount Vernon Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, Washington, 98273.

Responsible Official

and Contact Person:          Jana Hanson

                                          Director, Community and Economic Development

                                          P. O. Box 809

                                          Mount Vernon, WA 98273               

Date of Issuance:  June 19, 2006