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Public Comment Sought for Proposed Plans on
White River and Nason Creek
08/16/2006
EPHRATA -- Officials from tribes, fish agencies, the U.S. Forest Service, local government and Grant PUD are seeking public input on preliminary projects to restore populations of Upper Columbia River spring Chinook in the White River and Nason Creek. A public meeting will be held on Saturday, August 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lake Wenatchee Recreation Center to gather feedback.
In March 1999, NOAA Fisheries determined that Upper Columbia River spring Chinook were at risk of becoming extinct in the foreseeable future and listed them as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
Under the mandate of a NOAA Fisheries Biological Opinion, Grant PUD is required to fund and implement the White River and Nason Creek spring Chinook salmon programs as two of 40 required actions to mitigate for fish loss through its hydroprojects. To implement these programs, Grant PUD must locate available land along both the White River and Nason Creek for purchase or lease, develop plans and facility designs for rearing and acclimation facilities, and submit permits for review and consultation.
“NOAA Fisheries, Grant PUD and other fisheries co-managers have been methodically working on the White River and Nason Creek programs for more than a decade,” said Stephen Brown, Grant PUD director of natural resources. “Continuation of these efforts will take place in phases, as sites to conduct the work are identified, appropriate facilities are designed, regulatory approvals are obtained and protection measures for both areas commence.”
Organizations and agencies involved in the meeting will be NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service, the Yakama Nation, the Colville Confederated Tribes, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Grant PUD.
As the funding source for the White River and Nason Creek spring Chinook programs, Grant PUD has spent more than $9 million. Those costs are primarily related to operations and maintenance for incubation and rearing of fish at hatchery facilities located in Rochester, Wash.
“One of the most important aspects of salmon recovery is public involvement,” said Tom Dresser, Grant PUD manager of fish, wildlife and water quality. “We encourage anyone interested in this topic to become involved.”
For more information on the White River proposal or to submit comments, please visit Grant County PUD’s Web site at www.gcpud.org/resources/resLicensing/stewResponse.htm. or call (800) 422-3199 ext. 2248.
Public Meeting Details:
When: Saturday, August 26, 2006
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Lake Wenatchee Recreation Center
14400 Chiwawa Loop Road, Lake Wenatchee
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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. |
