Funds for a drainage system for the city of Covington today received unanimous approval from the King County Flood Control District. The awarded funds come from a newly created program aimed at reducing the impact of local flooding.

The $176,000 grant recommended for Covington’s Clements/SE 263rd Pl Stormwater Conveyance Improvement Project will replace an undersized, homeowner installed drainage system that conveys municipal surface water to Big Soos Creek. This area has experienced flooding and maintenance issues in this area for some time. The new drainage system will work to alleviate those flooding issue.

“Communities across King County will benefit from this grant program that funds projects aimed at reducing localized flooding,” said Reagan Dunn, Chair of the Flood Control District, and whose district includes Covington. “Longstanding flooding and drainage issues will be a thing of the past in this neighborhood thanks to this grant.”

“Project funding is hard to come by these days,” said Jeff Wagner, Mayor Pro Tem of Covington. “We are very happy to move this project forward thanks to the King County Flood Control District’s new grant program.”

The new grant program targets flood reduction projects throughout King County.  A total of $2.6 million in grants were available for 2014, with the funds being awarded on a competitive basis by the Flood Control District. Eligible applicants included homeowner associations, private non-profit organizations or associations, schools, special districts, tribes and King County jurisdictions. Funded projects must be completed within 36 months of receiving funds.