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State may help manage Getty's Cove

by Herald Staff WriterLynne Lynch
| November 2, 2011 6:00 AM

EPHRATA - Staff with Grant PUD and Washington State Parks and Recreation are negotiating an interim management plan to jointly operate the PUD-owned Getty's Cove.

With state parks, the district plans to reopen the former campground to the public in April for day use and special events, according to a draft plan.

Estimates show it would cost the state $50,000 to operate and maintain the site from April to October. It would cost Grant PUD about $95,000 to do so alone.

The property is located is in Kittitas County, near Wanapum State Park.

Grant PUD commissioners directed their staff Monday to start discussing a two- to three-year agreement with state parks staff.

No commitments have been made.

Grant PUD commissioner Tom Flint said the district may lose local control of Getty's Cove. He said he was looking for other ideas and proposals.

Kelly Larimer, the district's lands resource manager, explained the proposal was a cooperative agreement. Both parties would act as co-managers.

"We would just focus on utilizing their staff," Larimer said.

Grant PUD commissioner Randy Allred called the situation a "slam dunk" if costs came to less than $50,000.

"At least with the state, you do have badges, who can legally enforce the law," Allred said.

Commissioned state park rangers would help monitor the site and additional support would be provided by the Kittitas County Sheriff's Department, the Grant County Sheriff's Department and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to the proposal.

Getty's Cove has a reputation for being a "headache" for law enforcement, according to an Aug. 13, 2008 article from the Ellensburg Daily Record.

The campground attracts Gorge Amphitheater concert-goers and campers.

Kittitas County Sheriff's deputies were called to Getty's Cove during the weekends, responding to calls of theft, underage drinking, drug deals and sexual assault, the article stated.

Flint said the district bought the property at a reduced price, in lieu of developing other spots they thought were more expensive.

He recalled the land was originally priced at $5 million to $6 million. The district later bought the property for $1.49 million in 2009.

The PUD's general manager, Tim Culbertson, said the district bought another property, Gloyd Seeps, to meet some fishery requirements, but that it may resell it. With Gloyd Seeps, it is believed the district wouldn't lose money in a re-sale.

With Getty's Cove, district staff discussed re-marketing the property if needed.

It is believed the district wouldn't lose money if it chose to re-sell Getty's Cove.

The PUD commission discussed opening Getty's Cove for limited day use, Culbertson pointed out.

"I do think this is a good transition plan for the district to use them (state parks)," Culbertson said. "They are close. They do have the enforcement."

At Getty's Cove, proposed operation hours begin on or after April 15, with the site closing in late September.

The site could be open mostly on weekends and longer hours would start after June 15.

There are two public use management periods, with the eagle management period from April 15 through June 15. During this time, site hours are from 6:30 a.m. to dusk.

Public use is "closely managed" to "help provide for a successful eaglet," the plan states. A pair of bald eagles have used the site to nest since 2010.

"Recreation use will be wildlife-focused and includes eagle and wildlife viewing, interpretive events, picnicking, fishing and hiking," according to the plan.

A general use period is proposed from June 16 to Sept. 30. During this time, the site is open from 6:30 a.m.. to dusk, Friday to Monday.

"Recreation use will focus on day use and water recreation and is expected to be picnicking, fishing, swimming and hiking," the plan states. "Special events such as reunions, field camps, etc., will be allowed with advanced scheduling and in conformance with the co-managers approved terms and conditions."

Benefits of an agreement with state parks include better public management using regional state staff, a cost savings and use of state staff at Ginkgo Interpretive Center and Olmstead Place, according to a plan review.

Getty's Cove was used as private campground before Grant PUD closed it to the public in 2010.

It was also closed prior to the district's purchase.

The PUD bought the 97 acres of land to meet Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requirements for the Priest Rapids Project.