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MEMORANDUM Date_ October 12, 2009_

TO: Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Seattle

Tim Farrell, Executive Director, Port of Tacoma

TODAY’S BRIEFING:

One of the areas of cooperation identified by the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma commissions

is emergency planning. This memo provides information in two areas:

1. on the condition of the Howard Hansen Dam, potential effects of flooding along the

Green River due to releases from the dam this winter, and potential areas for further

coordination between the ports; and

2. the possibility of flooding along the Puyallup River and associated impacts.

protection dam for the Green River and numerous cities in south King County including Auburn,

Kent, Tukwila, and Renton. Once past Renton, the Green becomes the Duwamish River and

flows by several Port of Seattle properties before emptying into Elliott Bay.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discovered significant damage and leakage within the

earthen portion of the dam following last winter’s record rainfall. The Corps is installing a

“grout curtain” due for completion in November. The curtain is a temporary fix at best and

cannot be thoroughly tested until next summer.

To ensure the stability of the structure, the Corps will not allow the dam’s reservoir to hold as

Transportation routes, pipelines, electrical substations, communications nodes, and government

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buildings all have a home in the flood zone. Many important local, regional and state

transportation corridors cross the valley, as does the BNSF and UP railroads’ north-south

mainline and the Stampede Pass line. Locally-built levees lining the river are old and many

were never built to withstand the flow rates likely to result from a significant storm event. The

combination of increased population density, critical infrastructure, old levees and unchecked

river flows is cause for deep concern.

Port Impacts

necessary. An estimated 1,800 airport employees, including workers at airlines,

concessionaires and suppliers, may be displaced. Many Port of Seattle Seaport and

Corporate employees may also be affected either by direct flooding or closed

transportation routes to work.

 Road, bridge and rail line closures may result in major congestion and stem the flow of

goods into and out of docks at both ports, as well as terminals, air cargo facilities, and

warehouses. Flooding could affect distribution of goods to other centers outside the

region.

 Debris dislodged by fast-running water could flow into the Duwamish and may present

significant hazards to navigation in Elliott Bay, increase siltation along the waterway,

dry land.

 Storm water back-ups may cause flooding in some low-lying buildings in the South

Seattle area, including the Port of Seattle’s Maintenance shop.

 Waterways may be affected by sewage and storm-water overflows.

 Port of Seattle police and fire departments anticipate increased demand for services from

port facilities, as well as calls for mutual aid from valley cities.

NEXT STEPS

Flooding of the Green River will likely not be a one-time event. The Corps estimates permanent

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Port of Seattle emergency management staff are creating teams of port experts to develop

communication plans, informing employees, tenants and vendors of the situation, working hard

to mitigate as much damage as possible while planning for the worst-case scenario, and

attempting to assist our neighbors while protecting our assets as well.

Port of Seattle staff also are coordinating with their counterparts in valley cities, county and state

government to develop contingency plans, and are beginning discussions with freight, railroad

and a briefing for business owners organized by the combined chambers of commerce in the

valley cities. The next item is a meeting focused specifically on the impacts to transportation

networks in the valley, especially in Auburn where goods from both ports are handled by

distribution centers located there.

Currently the City of Renton and King County have declared a State of Emergency. The cities of

Kent, Tukwila and Auburn will soon follow suit. The State recently increased their response to

the Howard Hanson Dam to a Level 2 and FEMA is already working with local jurisdictions.

Emergency Declarations will open the way for increased Federal assistance now and in the

future.

the Port’s ability to operate during a significant flood event.

In late 2005, FEMA issued a directive requiring effected communities to commit to repair the

levees and bring them to minimum standards within ten (10) years. As lead agency, Pierce

County created the Puyallup River Executive Task Force (Task Force), which includes

representatives of affected communities and government agencies. Commissioner R. Ted

Bottiger represents the Port of Tacoma on the Task Force.

Port Impacts

necessary. Many port employees, longshore or other port-related workers may be

affected either by direct flooding or closed transportation routes to work;

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 Road, bridge and rail line closures may result in major congestion and stem the flow of

goods into and out of docks at both ports, as well as terminals, air cargo facilities, and

warehouses. Flooding could affect distribution of goods to other centers outside the

region;

 Debris dislodged by fast-running water could flow into the Puget Sound and may present

hazards to navigation in Commencement Bay;

 Waterways may be affected by sewage and storm-water overflows.

NEXT STEPS

ability of Pierce County to restructure the flood control districts into a zone, potentially

providing funding for the capital improvements that will eventually be necessary.

Port of Tacoma staff will continue to work with the Task Force to implement a cost sharing and

funding mechanism to ensure all participating members share equitably in the study costs.

Coordination between ports on planning for flood impacts

There is a need for further communication and coordination between the ports about potential

impacts and contingencies for flooding of both the Green River and the Puyallup River. Our

customers depend on the state and local transportation network, as well as the BNSF and UP rail

lines, which are at risk if major flooding occurs. Thus it is important for the ports to work with

customers and tenants on planning for continuity of service and maintenance of operations.