PUD to avoid fines with hatchery project

EPHRATA - Grant PUD commissioners formally agreed to move forward with building the district's spring Chinook acclimation facility along the White River in Chelan County.

If the district doesn't comply with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requirements to build the facility,  it can be fined $10,000 per day, said commissioner Randy Allred on Monday.

FERC grants the PUD's license to own and operate its Columbia River dams, which produce power for Grant County and other power purchasers.

The district is going through the federal preemption process because Chelan County Hearing Examiner Andrew Kottkamp denied all construction permits for the project.

He declined to comment because the matter still may come before him in the future.

According to Grant PUD's resolution, Kottkamp denied the permits "on the basis that certain construction activities are not permitted under the Chelan County Code or Comprehensive Plan."

The district's FERC license gives Grant PUD the option of bypassing state and local laws when the laws stop the district from meeting license requirements, according to Rita Bjork, a district spokesperson.

It is estimated the federal preemption process takes between two to three months before Grant PUD could begin construction, explained Bjork.

The district needs to begin construction in June on the $9.2 million project.

Project costs include design, facility construction and environmental work.

The goal is to boost spring Chinook numbers in White River and Nason Creek in Chelan County.

Spring Chinook are a federally listed endangered species.

"The hearing examiner's decision puts us at risk of being out of compliance with our license and potentially subject to significant penalties," stated Jeff Grizzel, Grant PUD's natural resources director. "Unfortunately, we have no choice but to begin the federal preemption process to ensure we meet our license requirements related to the White River."