Heavy Equipment from Rotschy Inc. sits atop a levee at Steigerwald Lake NWR.
The Steigerwald Reconnection Project is a complex construction effort involving 1.5 million cubic yards of earthwork, an 800-foot concrete flood wall, modifications to State Route 14, and numerous other elements, most of which occur within the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge’s sensitive habitats and within a tight timeline. The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership hired Rotschy, Inc. out of Vancouver to lead project construction. Rotschy is a family-owned heavy construction company started in 1988 by Cecil Rotschy and one of his sons. It has expanded over the years to include three other sons as owners, over 300 employees, and over 300 pieces of heavy equipment. Rotschy has constructed highways, subdivisions, fish hatcheries, reservoirs, treatment plants, and spillways all over the Pacific Northwest.
And now they build levees too.
A water truck sprays water high into the air at Steigerwald Lake NWR. Water trucks help with soil compaction and cut down dust at construction sites.
“We structured our procurement to not just consider price, but to make sure we got the best contractor for the job. And fortunately we did just that. Rotschy has not only done an excellent job on the work, but their staff are fair and honest, across the board. And they’ve really cooperated in helping us minimize impacts to the refuge’s sensitive habitats.” said the Estuary Partnership’s project manager, Chris Collins.
You’ll see plenty of Rotschy equipment at the site over the next several months as they complete project construction. “The project team, including Rotschy, has been very strategic and is positioned to finish construction on time, hopefully ahead of schedule.” said Juliette Fernandez, Project Leader for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “And we love that Rotschy is from the community, supporting the local economy, and working hard to restore this meaningful place.”
Heavy equipment operators from Rotschy Inc. work together to move the pit toilet at the Steigerwald Lake NWR parking lot.
“Rotschy has approached this project as a partner. They want to do this right. And with a contract approaching $20 million, we’re very happy all those jobs are going to folks that live in southwest Washington,” said David Ripp, CEO of the Port of Camas-Washougal.