Grealish Bulkhead Height MemoJuly 15, 2019
Leila Willoughby-Oakes, Associate Planner
City of Federal Way
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
RE: Grealish- Bulkhead Height (SEPA/SH/SF)
Dear Willoughby-Oakes,
The Grealish family’s shoreline is currently protected with a concrete bulkhead. The
approximately 55 linear foot bulkhead varies in height from 56 inches tall in the north to
63 inches in the south. This measurement includes the footing and was measured in the
early summer. The beach level varies seasonally.
I performed an Ordinary High Water (OHW) delineation following the training and
guidance of the Washington Department of Ecology. For the Grealish Bulkhead, OHW
was estimated to be approximately 14.2 feet MLLW.
The current bulkhead appears to be slightly waterward of OHW . We are proposing to
move the bulkhead back approximately 1 foot landward to get the replacement structure
at or landward of OHW. Moving the bulkhead should have a minor improvement on
shoreline processes. The attached figure, with table, show the height and location of the
current structure. This figure will be submitted to WDFW as reference measurements for
the current bulkhead. These measurements will also be used to calibrate the bulkhead
being moved 1 foot landward.
Based on these measurements and our plan to relocate the bulkhead 1 foot landward
should help us comply with Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) 15.05.050(1)(b)(i). If
you have any additional questions or comments please call me at 253-389-0712.
Sincerely,
Bill Rehe