Interlocal agreement could advance lake crossing study

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will take the lead in obtaining funding for an environmental impact study of a possible second crossing of Moses Lake. Moses Lake City Council members approved an interlocal agreement with Grant County on April 14, and it’s scheduled for a vote of the Grant County Commissioners on Tuesday.

Moses Lake City Manager Rob Karlinsey told council members it’s a first step toward fulfilling one of the council’s top goals, which is to at least start studying the possibility of a second lake crossing.

“We have applied for federal funding to help us study that. For us to receive that funding, we need to have an interlocal agreement with the county, because the likely locations of that lake crossing are going to be in (the) unincorporated county,” Karlinsey said.

Grant County Administrator Tom Gaines said the whole process – even finding out if a second lake crossing is possible – is still in its earliest stages.

“The interlocal agreement is (for) an EIS. We’re not breaking ground,” Gaines said.

The agreement will be in effect for three years, Karlinsey said.

“The county originally wanted to be able to terminate the agreement with 60 days’ notice,” Karlinsey said. “That was not acceptable to us, because what if we’re lots of money into it, halfway through, and they give us notice, then we’re out. What we agreed upon instead was that this agreement would end in three years unless mutually extended by both entities.”

Council members approved the agreement on a 6-0 vote.

Karlinsey said during a March 30 meeting with commissioners that no potential location has been identified. Finding a preferred location would be part of the environmental impact study.

Gaines said county officials want to be part of the study process, given that a second lake crossing would affect city and county residents alike.

To pay for the EIS, city officials have requested a $1.5 million federal allocation. The city would contribute about $380,000 as its part of the project. That request is still pending.

If the city doesn’t receive a grant for EIS planning, the agreement would be terminated automatically.

If the study is funded, the agreement stipulates that county officials would have the final say over a preferred location, provided the possible alternatives are located in the unincorporated area of Grant County.

“Both boards come together and meet and hopefully approve the EIS with a preferred location,” Karlinsey said at the March 30 meeting. “What if the two boards can’t agree on a preferred location? The (ILA) proposes that the county has final say. Why? Because it’s in your territory.”

Grant County Public Works Director Andy Booth said March 30 that county crews wouldn’t be able to maintain another lake crossing with the county’s existing public works staff and equipment. Gaines said Thursday that county officials hope to involve the Washington Department of Transportation as part of the planning process. Karlinsey said March 30 that responsibility for maintenance is still to be determined, since it’s so early in the process.