EPHRATA, Wash. – Chelan County Hearing Examiner Andrew Kottkamp today denied all the necessary permits for Grant PUD to construct a spring Chinook acclimation facility on the White River in Chelan County.

The White River acclimation facility would allow spring Chinook to be reared in large circular tanks and outdoor ponds filled with river water. This process allows the fish to “imprint” on their natal river water, providing the critical cues necessary for them to return to spawn after spending three to four years in the ocean.

Biologists from the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Yakama Nation and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation believe this facility will provide the best opportunity to restore natural runs of spring Chinook in the White River. The species was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1999.

Grant PUD’s federal license to operate the Priest Rapids Project requires mitigation for spring Chinook lost during migration through its hydroelectric dams. The utility is required specifically to construct facilities that support artificial supplementation of spring Chinook in both the White River and Nason Creek.

“We are very disappointed with Mr. Kottkamp’s decision,” said Jeff Grizzel, natural resources director with Grant PUD. “We are in a very difficult position since our federal license requires that we construct the acclimation facility yet the hearing examiner has denied all of the necessary permits. We are currently evaluating all options that would ensure we meet our license requirements related to spring Chinook in the White River.”

Since 2004, Grant PUD has acclimated juvenile spring Chinook salmon for a short six-week period each spring in the White River and Lake Wenatchee using temporary methods. While the rate of returning adults has increased since this process began, the return numbers are still far from those needed to meet recovery objectives. Biologists believe acclimating fish over the winter months may increase survival.

The acclimation facility design was a collaborative process between Grant PUD; fisheries co-managers; federal, state and local governmental officials; members of the public and other stakeholders. The final concept considered input from all stakeholders and reflected the group’s desire to minimize impacts to the land.

Citing on-going litigation and circumstances outside of Grant PUD’s control, commissioners today began preparations for the utility in the event that the PUD does not begin managing Crescent Bar Island when the utility’s lease with the Port of Quincy expires in June 2012.

Commissioners are expected to act next week on a resolution that allows utility staff to begin negotiations with the Port of Quincy. If approved, an independent appraiser will be hired to determine the fair market rent for both Crescent Bar Island and the utility’s off-island property. The utility plans to implement the new fair market rent starting in June. The new rent will be a significant increase over the $100 annual payment currently received from the Port of Quincy.

“We strongly believe that Crescent Bar Island should be returned to full public use,” said Grant PUD Commission President Tom Flint. “Although these circumstances may delay broader access to this property, we can act proactively, and in the best interest of our customers, to collect funds that more accurately represent appropriate payment for use of the land.”

New timeframes for decommissioning the island and improving facilities will be established once decisions are made in the pending legal action. For up-to-date information on Crescent Bar Island, visit www.gcpud.org.