Crescent Bar analysis set to be finished in April

EPHRATA — The future of individual subleases on Crescent Bar Island may be clearer in April after Grant County PUD commissioners review a compliance analysis and recommendation report.

The island is west of Quincy and through subleases has a small permanent population, which increases with summer weather.

The review may come at a regular meeting of the commissioners, or they may schedule a special meeting. PUD publicist Dorothy Harris said the decision will be made with ample time and notice.

The analysis and recommendation report is being prepared by PUD staff and consultants. It deals with issues such as fire safety, water quality and environmental health, as well as public access.

The report comes after more than half a year of discussions regarding Crescent Bar. There were four major public meetings, and there were several meetings with parties with interests on the island. More than 300 people submitted comments.

“The report moves interested parties closer to knowing the future use of the . . . island,” Harris said.

The island is leased through the Port of Quincy. A lease with the Grant County PUD about 50 years ago is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2012.

It creates a big question for 400 parties who hold subleases to individual recreational lots or condominium units on the island. Their interests are bumping up against public use, which the federal government is mandating more of through the relicensing of the Wanapum and Priest River dams.

“While hydropower production is the primary use of the project, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requires that we also support public recreation on its lands and waters,” commission President Bob Bernd said.

Harris said the commissioners “are thrilled with all of the comments” received from the public. While most of the lease holders want things to remain as they are, she said, members of the public at large are asking for expanded public access.

“There are folks who believe public access is limited,” she said.

“FERC is requiring we improve public access,” she added.

Harris noted there is a public golf course and a public beach on the eastern side of the island. The beach has a grassy area, trees and picnic tables.

According to Harris, commissioners have given no indication on whether they will lease the island again. There are several questions to be answered ahead of such a decision. However, she said the commissioners plan to make their decision in a timely manner in the interest of sublease holders.

“All of the commissioners are in a data gathering mode right now,” she said.

According to Harris, PUD’s plan for the island must be aligned with the recently-awarded federal licenses for operating the dams and managing the reservoirs. Among other things, the license requires a public boat launch on Crescent Bar, dredging of the channel passing under the bridge between the island and the shore, and a shoreline trail.

Harris said persons interested in the commissioners’ discussions of the island and the shorelines of the Priest Rapids Project are encouraged to monitor the PUD Web site for upcoming staff reports and agenda items. Audio recordings of commission meetings are available on the site, which is www.gcpud.org.