Pierce County is hosting four open houses this month to provide information about updating the Pierce County River Flood Hazard Management Plan.

Updating the 1991 plan began last fall. The new flood plan will recommend policies, programs, and projects for managing river flooding in Pierce County. Citizens are invited to share their thoughts and preferences on flood management issues and possible solutions. A draft plan is expected to be completed early next year.

All meetings will be in an open house, drop-in format. Formal presentations, followed by a question and answer period, are scheduled during each meeting. Meeting times are:

• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. March 20 – Puyallup, Aylen Junior High School, 101 15th St. S.W., Puyallup (presentations at 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.);

• 4 - 8 p.m. March 22 – Orting, Orting Middle School, 111 Whitehawk Blvd. N.W. , Orting (presentations at 5 and 6:45 p.m.);

• 4-8 p.m. March 24 – Eatonville, Eatonville High School, 302 Mashell Ave. N., Eatonville (presentations at 5 and 6:45 p.m.); and

• 6 - 8 p.m. March 29 – University Place, Pierce County Environmental Services Building, 9850 64th St. W., University Place (presentation at 6:45 p.m.).

"Pierce County is committed to finding cost-effective, long-term solutions to reduce risk to life and property from river flooding, while still balancing compatible human uses, economic sustainability, and environmental issues," Surface Water Manager for Public Works and Utilities Harold Smelt said in a press release.

Information about the plan update can be found at www.piercecountywa.org/floodplan.

For more information about the meetings, or to provide comments on the plan update, contact Melissa Paulson at 253-798-4686, or e-mail mpaulso@co.pierce.wa.us.

Additional public meetings are planned in the fall to share possible solutions and in early 2011 to comment on a draft plan.

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