Grant PUD mulls Crescent Bar recreation

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners learned Monday about their roles in providing more public access on Crescent Bar Island.

Commissioners will further discuss the island and develop more details at a three-hour workshop. The workshop date has not been set.

At that time, discussion topics include whether the PUD develops a transition plan in the absence of the Port of Quincy or Crescent Bar Inc., retains or solicits public recreational commercial uses and keeps the golf course open during the transition, according to a staff report.

Staff then provide commissioner feedback to consultants, so they can form schematics.

Public open houses to present the PUD’s recreational alternatives for the island will be presented on June 30 in Quincy and July 8 in Ephrata. Meeting times have not been set.

Kelly Larimer, the utility’s lands and recreation manager, spoke to commissioners Monday about the required plan and schedule development for the island.

According to a staff outline, the public submitted the following recreation suggestions: more natural areas, such as bird/wildlife habitat, and walking trails, more beaches, trails, parking and restrooms, large park with playground equipment, more signs indicating public access, keeping the golf course, turning the golf course into a camping area or park, widening roads leading in and out, improving the marina/boat launch, providing RV and tent camping, providing ball fields, renaming the park, offering group facilities for meetings, reunions, weddings and keeping some kind of retail offerings.

Commissioners also discussed public access on the island.

Commissioner Randy Allred said the biggest boating problem he’s experienced on the river was finding a beach to unload a barbecue and cooler and have beach access. It is one of the biggest complaints he’s heard and he sees nothing being planned for those uses.

Larimer responded, saying there’s no plan so far, which is the reason they’re there.

Commissioner Tom Flint said Quilomene Bay is used and overused in the public’s efforts to find a place to put their boats in the river.

Flint asked about a two-lane boat launch, as the public’s biggest concern is getting in and out of the river.

He also asked if the commercial use supports the golf course. Staff plans to gather figures describing golf course usage.

Commissioner Greg Hansen said the whole area of the golf course would make a nice standing beach where one could swim and pull a boat off.

Hansen asked if it has been mentioned in a request for proposal to have management for the park to include park upkeep, the convenience store, and concessionaires.

“I think it would take the pressure off the PUD, if we had one firm do the whole thing,” Hansen commented.

Commissioner Bob Bernd said he would like to see a true RV facility on the island, where people could stay a day or a week.

Bernd also said security was a big concern for him, so people can visit with their families.

He wasn’t sure how to address that issue.

Commissioner Terry Brewer was not present at that portion of the meeting.

Commissioners unanimously decided on April 26 not to renew a lease between the district and the Port of Quincy.

The lease allows 400 leaseholders to live on the island and expires in 2012.