Winlock shortlisted for $5 million in state funds

The State Department of Ecology has selected the City of Winlock to receive roughly $5 million in grants and loans to repair their troubled sewer system, according to a draft list published last week.

According to the list, which awaits approval by the state legislature, the city would receive $4.38 in grants and $606,000 in loans, with $193,800 of the loans expected to be forgiven due to the city's hardship status, and the rest to be paid back at 2.4 percent APR.

Winlock Mayor Lonnie J. Dowell said the city is waiting until official approval is given to determine how to use the funds, while he also intendeds to seek out a Community Development Block Grant to cover additional costs related to sewer system repairs.

"We're trying to get as much as we can get," he said, stating the city would be applying for additional grants later this year.

Dowell said a majority of damage in the system, around 90 percent, originated from aged and broken side sewers on private residences, stating some such fixtures even include downspouts hooked directly into the sewer lines, while other problem areas are likely around manholes and storm drains.

While such damage has contributed in the past to the need for incoming sewage to be partially treated and diverted directly into Olequa Creek, Dowell said such an event has not happened since the early part of last year, despite heavy rain events taking place in recent months.

Dowell added, along the lines of access to grant funding, his attentions are turned more immediately to the use of $3.5 million in federal grants to replace Fir St. Bridge, which were awarded last year but cannot be used until the state adds the project to their Transportation Improvement Plan, which Dowell said the city is waiting to happen imminently. He said, after the plan is amended to include Winlock, the city will begin advertising for engineers to begin the first phase of replacing the bridge.

He added, with regard for the city's obligation to come up with $703,600 in matching funds for the bridge, they are seeking a Transportation Improvement Board grant, which the city will be applying for soon, though Dowell said no other funding sources appear viable at this time.