Resident urges county to clear plugged culvert on Old Pacific Highway; staff say site is on list

Resident Robert Portner addressed the board during public comment to press the county to clear a nearly plugged 4-foot culvert on Old Pacific Highway (near Fulbright Road), saying he has tried for three years to get it cleaned and fearing a future flood or a road closure.

"I'm here to find out what the county is going to do with that cover . . . it's a 4-foot culvert that's almost totally plugged," Portner said, adding that the culvert had historically been maintained under a five-year fisheries permit and that the outfall has built up rock and debris.

County staff acknowledged the report, said the location is on an evaluation list and explained that fish-bearing-stream rules and permits from the Department of Ecology and fisheries can affect the timing and method of any in‑stream work. Staff told Portner they had photographed the site and were looking for an appropriate in‑water work window and necessary approvals; they committed to follow up.

No formal directive or funding decision was made at the meeting; staff said the site is scheduled for evaluation and will be addressed when permits and appropriate in‑stream access windows allow.