Socioeconomic Analysis of the Chehalis River Basin Flood Damage Reduction Project

For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as a sub to Anchor QEA, ECONorthwest conducted a socioeconomic impact assessment and environmental justice analysis of the Chehalis River Basin Flood Damage Reduction Project, for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The project, proposed by the Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District, would help to address long-standing flooding issues in the basin by constructing a new flood retention facility and temporary reservoir near the town of Pe Ell, Washington, and levee improvements around the Chehalis-Centralia Airport in Chehalis, Washington. The socioeconomic impact assessment describes the project’s potential effects on the people, communities, and economy in the region stemming from construction and operation. Impacts evaluated arise from changes in spending and employment levels in the region, and changes in the availability of goods and services people value, including recreation opportunities, timber production, flood abatement, and ecosystem services. The assessment also identifies the distribution of potential impacts on low-income and minority populations through an environmental justice analysis.