Equitable Relocations: An Example from the Cedar River – FbD Lunch & Learn Series

Join us on Thursday, September 11th for a discussion with Judy Blanco, the Cedar River Basin Steward for King County’s Water and Land Resources Division. Judy will highlight the Riverbend Levee Setback and Floodplain Restoration project and the complex challenges it presented with relocating 90 families, half of whom were non-English speakers. This project was a huge endeavor, but ultimately ensured that the County not only help get people out of harm’s way, but that they were treated fairly and equitably in the process.
Judy will highlight the process, the partners and people involved, how it was informed by data, and the lessons learned, which has helped create an approach to large scale acquisitions and relocations that didn’t exist for the County prior to this project. Judy will also highlight a post project survey and report conducted by the relocation consultant, in which the residents reported being in a better situation, with a nicer home, and in less debt.
This discussion will be full of insights and tips for how to thoughtfully plan for and implement acquisitions and relocations with at-risk communities, and we welcome members throughout the FbD network to join us and share their efforts and insights with similar projects.
This discussion builds off of the 4-part Acquisition and Buyouts series we hosted in the summer of 2024, links to which can be found here for those interested in additional resources:
1.
Flood Risk: A Need for Acquisitions and Buyouts
2.
Crafting and Funding a Local Acquisition/Buyout Strategy
3.
Implementing a Local Acquisition/Buyout Strategy
4.
Exploring the Creative Roles States Are Playing to Get People out of Harm’s Way
While we update the specific details of the Lunch & Learn sessions monthly, the topics are informed by feedback from the Floodplains by Design network of practitioners and partners.
As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself (Allan Warren awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: 1234