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Draft Water Quality Certificate Received by Grant PUD
Grant PUD to Submit Comments on Terms of the Certificate
November 20, 2006
EPHRATA -- A draft water quality certificate, issued by the Department of Ecology for the Priest Rapids Project, is presently under close review by management and staff and Grant PUD. The certificate is one of the last milestones to be completed before a new license can be issued for the Project.
The document being reviewed is called a “Draft 401 Certification,” referring to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act. It analyzes the ways in which dams affect water quality and places conditions on dam operators to protect water quality.
The draft certification proposes ways for Grant PUD to comply with state water-quality standards and other relevant state regulations protecting the environment. Grant PUD has applied for the water quality certification annually since 2003, and most recently in October 2006, as a provision of the Federal Clean Water Act.
“Grant PUD is pleased to reach this important step in the relicensing process,” said Grant PUD Director of Natural Resources, Stephen Brown. “We are committed to protecting the resources of the waterway that runs through our project and have taken proactive steps to meet water quality standards. Grant PUD firmly supports the importance of maintaining water quality and looks forward to submitting our comments on this draft document.”
Grant PUD will review the Draft 401 Certification and comment on proposed measures in the draft that management and staff believe to be in excess of those required by the laws and regulations of the state.
The Department of Ecology is currently seeking comments on the draft certification. Comments received will be considered by Ecology in its decision to issue the Final 401 Certification. Once the Final 401 Certification is issued, Grant PUD will have 60 days to appeal the requirements with the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board. Information on submitting comments can be found of the Department of Ecology Web site at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs.wq.ferc.fraft-wq_certs.html.
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Grant County Public Utility District is a Washington state municipal corporation that began electric service in 1942. Owned by the people it serves, Grant PUD generates and sells electricity to Grant County residents and millions of customers throughout Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest. The Priest Rapids Project, comprised of Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams, produces nearly 2,000 megawatts of clean, renewable and reliable electricity – enough to supply a city the size of Seattle. A leader in science based technology; Grant PUD is committed to finding effective measures for the protection, mitigation and enhancement of salmon, steelhead and other natural and cultural resources.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rita Bjork
(509) 766-2530 / rbjork@gcpud.org
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