Crescent Bar talks on hold

CRESCENT BAR — More meetings between the Grant County PUD, various tribes and the state Department of Ecology are expected in the future to discuss raising the water around Crescent Bar Island.

The state has been in recent discussions with the PUD and tribal interests, said Tom Tebb, the state Department of Ecology’s regional director in Yakima.

It’s because the state is interested in raising the river by 3.5 feet for additional water storage.

There’s a need to find new water supplies for municipalities and agriculture.

“Before we go any further, we want to make sure it’s a viable proposal,” he said. “We’re a long ways from getting permission to do anything.”

More meetings are needed before the state moves forward with an environmental impact statement.

The tribes are concerned about cultural artifacts being affected, he explained.

“I think they want clarification on what this would do, if this would exasperate problems,” he said.

Tebb noted the tribes’ concerns must be respected.

The state is waiting to get more meetings scheduled, he said.

Raising the water levels around the island would allow for more water storage, but flood part of the RV park on the island.

A handful of residents live in the RV park year round, with peak use in the summer.

If the proposal was financed by the state, action by Grant PUD commissioners would be required, said Dorothy Harris, a utility spokesperson.

The PUD would be required to apply to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a license amendment.

FERC granted a new 44-year license to the utility in 2008, to continue owning and operating its Columbia River dams.

The state has since taken the lead on the water raise proposal because the cost of altering Wanapum Dam doesn’t justify enough additional power production for the PUD.

Last week, a PUD staff recommendation concerning residential use on the island was released.

According to the report, 400 Crescent Bar leaseholders would be required to pay higher rents to reflect fair market value and other fees.

The commission is scheduled to vote on the recommendation April 19.