Albion-Parvin Road gets emergency okay

Debris from mudslide near the Farr Ranch on Albion-Parvin Road

Whitman County commissioners approved a Road Emergency Declaration for Albion-Parvin Road Monday, as presented by Public Works Director Mark Storey.

The declaration regards a road embankment washout along the South Fork of the Palouse River, which led to the road being closed two weeks ago.

“It’s pretty straightforward,” said Commissioner Dean Kinzer of the declaration, which passed unanimously. “We either want a road or we don’t.”

The declaration allows for repair work to move forward without full permit reviews from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Ecology.

Timing for the repair work is not yet set as Public Works watches the weather, waiting for the water level to recede more.

“We’re hoping mid to late this week to get in there,” said Brandon Kruger, operations manager.

Repairs may include installation of barbs, rock structures designed to direct the river flow away from the bank, Storey explained to commissioners.

“It’s part of what we’ll look at as part of mitigation,” he said.