Grant PUD seeks to change game at Crescent Bar Island
The Royal Register News
EPHRATA - Grant PUD is attempting to shift the battle over Crescent Bar Island from Federal court to an arbitration board.
According to publicist Sarah Morford, the utility's legal counsel proposed settlement with Crescent Bar, Inc. The proposal would require Crescent Bar Inc. to drop any allegation that Grant PUD has an obligation to extend the 1979 sublease to 2023.
If terms of the settlement are not accepted within 30 days, publicist Sarah Morford said, Grant PUD will request that the Port of Quincy and Crescent Bar, Inc. enter into binding arbitration with the utility.
The decision to arbitrate, required by the 1979 sublease between the Port of Quincy and Crescent Bar, Inc., of which the utility is a party, will settle the dispute over possession of the island, Morford said.
"Our efforts will be focused on demonstrating to the arbitration board that current leases expire this year and the utility is entitled to possession of the island," said Tim Culbertson, Grant PUD general manager.
"In the short term, we will not press for eviction of the island residents. We will, however, advise the Port of Quincy that we expect them to pay Grant PUD reasonable rental value for their continued use of the island after expiration of the lease. Payment for continued use will be expected until Grant PUD has possession and control of Crescent Bar Island."
The PUD paved the way for this action on Feb. 21 by dropping its opposition to an injunction sought by the residents in federal court in Spokane. That same day judge Justin Quackenbush ordered the injunction.
"Defendants (PUD) are enjoined from proceeding with the eviction of plaintiffs and/or their members from Crescent Bar Island, pending final outcome of the arbitration between the parties," Quackenbush said.
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