HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 65

(By Delegates Browning and Staton)

[Introduced March 2, 2004; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]
Urging the United States Corps of Engineers and the West Virginia Conservation Agency to address the issue of flooding in Wyoming County by dredging all flood prone waterways.

Whereas, Heavy rainfalls in Wyoming County have caused widespread flooding with consequent property damage and human tragedy; and
Whereas, The waterways of Wyoming County are regularly reduced in capacity by natural processes such as stream bank sloughing and the accumulation of natural woody debris, as well as refuse dumping; and
Whereas, Those waterways whose channels have been reduced in capacity are primary contributors to the frequency, extent and severity of flooding; and
Whereas, Many citizens who live near or adjacent to these streams live in fear of flood waters inundating their homes and businesses; and
Whereas, During every heavy rain, elderly, frail and isolated Wyoming County residents fear that clogged waterways will leave them vulnerable to property damage which could have been prevented by dredging; and
Whereas, Scientific hydrologic studies have established that the combination of extraordinary rainfall on saturated soil, combined with a reduction in stream channel capacity, determines the extent and magnitude of flooding in urban, suburban and rural landscapes; and
Whereas, Individuals and businesses are no longer permitted to clean and clear impediments from natural watercourses; therefore be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the United States Corps of Engineers, whose primary mission is the prevention of flooding, and the West Virginia Conservation Agency, who has taken the initiative in charting a new course of flood damage reduction and floodplain management in West Virginia, are hereby requested to address the issue of flooding in Wyoming County by dredging all flood prone waterways; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the United States Corps of Engineers,
the West Virginia Conservation Agency and the West Virginia Congressional delegation.