Plans for Crescent Bar unveiled
Cindy Inch, of Grant PUD, right, explains how the workshop about Crescent Bar Island works on Wednesday in Moses Lake. Vanessa Seldal, also of Grant PUD, is seated at left.
MOSES LAKE — Grant County PUD staff and a consultant were on hand Wednesday night to explain four recreation options for Crescent Bar Island.
Forty-four people attended the meeting and 18 people completed a feedback form about the options. Comment deadline is July 9th.
MOSES LAKE — Grant County PUD staff and a consultant were on hand Wednesday night to explain four recreation options for Crescent Bar Island.
Forty-four people attended the meeting and 18 people completed a feedback form about the options.
Their comments are one tool Grant PUD commissioners will use to make their decision, said commission president Bob Bernd.
An identical workshop is set for July 8 in Quincy.
Option A and option B are similar in that the golf course is included on the existing site, but the condos are removed.
Option A also lists a public campground, boat launch and moorage, fuel float, habitat restoration, trail system, day use parks and renovated buildings.
Option B shows all of the above, plus commercial buildings.
Option C and option D both include a recreation shoreline park and condos, but no golf course.
Option C lists a public campground, boat launch and moorage, fuel float, habitat restoration, trail system, day use park, renovated buildings and shoreline park.
Option D lists all of the items in option C, except for renovated buildings/condos.
Some people have said it would be advantageous to have the condos, depending on what it would take to bring the buildings up to code, Harris said.
Karl Groth, of Ephrata, attended the workshop because he has general interest in the topic, he said. Groth owns an RV park located near the Winchester Wasteway area.
“Plus, it could impact us,” he commented. “(But), in all honesty, their customer base would be different than ours.”
Cheryl Dotson, a Grant PUD lands specialist, was one of the staff members answering the public’s questions.
She said a couple of people wanted to know about Crescent Bar and were just gathering information.
Utility spokesperson Harris said staff is also hearing about what people would and would not use.
Some are saying they prefer RV camping to tent camping.
Crescent Bar leaseholder Ron Sellar said he was hoping to meet some of the PUD commissioners and present another side of the issue.
“We, as lessees, think we can be good partners with them,” Sellar said. “We are offering, through new taxes, over $4 million to Grant County PUD.”
PUD commissioners unanimously agreed on April 26 not to extend leases for 400 leaseholders on Crescent Bar Island.
Grant PUD commission candidate Ron Baker was also at the workshop. He first learned about the recreation options a few weeks ago, but didn’t have a chance to talk to staff.
The workshop was an opportunity for him to see the schematics close up, he said.
Recreation plans appear to be fluid, as the plan isn’t fully determined as to how the island would be developed, he said.
Regarding the commission’s decision not to extend the lease, Baker said he didn’t know if he agreed because he didn’t have all of the information commissioners did.
Mike Clement, of Grant PUD, said most of the people he spoke with are interested in option D because it doesn’t include the existing golf course.
Instead, that area would become a level park.
“They just feel there would be a lot wider use,” he said.
They prefer access to the open areas for recreation.
Some are also interested in the non-motorized water area for kayaks and canoes.
Commission President Bernd said the commission’s decision comes down to the benefit of PUD customers/ratepayers.
Money “is certainly a big part of it,” he said.
It is hoped a concessionaire would handle whatever recreation aspects are decided upon.
The deadline for comments is July 9.
A comment form can be accessed through Grant PUD’s Web site, at www.gcpud.org/naturalResources/shorelineManagement/crescentBar.html.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
