08/03/2018
THIS IS CRITICAL!
And it's happening right under your nose! It's not politics in D.C. that you can't do anything about, it's not climate change you can't do anything about, etc.
This is local, and it's going to be a HUGE hit to your wallet! And you thought the Duportail Bridge was a boondoggle...
Rep. Dan Newhouse and local movers/shakers have been pushing for the Corps of Engineers to "Reconvey" ownership of the Tri-Cities waterfront back to local cities control.
"Sounds Awesome!" you say.
Here's some facts to consider:
If the cities take over control of their waterfronts, they assume the costs currently paid by the federal government. And these ain't sofa-change!
How do cities pay for their expenses? You and me, baby. You and me, in the form of increased taxes. How much?
This is only a bit of the numbers provided by the Corps:
* $1.3 million annually in routine upkeep
* $18 million in critical capital improvements
* Cities will need to develop operational expertise they don't currently possess
* Cities will need to hire highly trained operators, as well as staff-up whole new departments
* FEMA will possibly require Levee Certification at huge expense
These are only some of the expenses. The Corps has been very unwilling to open their books to get full costs.
The only way the cities will be able to bear some of the brunt of these costs is to line the shoreline with condos, hotels, restaurants and office buildings.
Or to hit you heavy in your wallet.
Here's the issue with the 1st scenario; there's really not a great percentage of our shorelines that's not Federally protected by Wildlife Protection measures, etc.
Trust me, their going to hit you in your wallet, and it's going to hurt.
Don't scream about things outside your control. This issue you have control of. Take responsibility for your wallet now. Because these people with delusions of building a legacy are going to be building it on your back.
And it will be back-breaking..
Civic leaders say the government should give the Columbia River shoreline to the Tri-Cities, but skeptics fear it will lead to rampant development.
