News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2010

Grant PUD Commission Addresses Future of Crescent Bar Island
March 29 Review of Technical Compliance Analysis and Recommendation

EPHRATA, WA – Grant PUD commissioners will consider options for future use of Crescent Bar Island on March 29. The meeting scheduled for 2:00 p.m. will include presentation of a technical compliance analysis and recommendations for meeting license obligations for the utility-owned island. The Grant PUD-owned island is currently leased to the Port of Quincy that, in turn, holds subleases allowing occupancy of approximately 400 recreational vehicle sites and condominium units. The Port of Quincy lease expires in June of 2012.

Grant PUD commissioners approved the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) for the Priest Rapids Project and submitted it to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the first week of March. While FERC will post the SMP for public comment, the federal agency’s initial response to the plan centered on Crescent Bar Island.

On March 10, Grant PUD received a letter from FERC stipulating the need for “a better understanding of … intended proposals with respect to improving public recreation access and use, and protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat and scenic quality of Crescent Bar Island upon expiration of the existing leases.” The FERC-issued letter (attached to this release) cites concerns about residential development and occupancy of project lands, because such uses violate FERC’s policy of maximizing public recreation development. FERC staff asked Grant PUD to file a plan and schedule for Crescent Bar Island that meets the license requirements by April 30 of this year.

The March 29 meeting will open a 14-day comment period when members of the public can submit written comments on the recommendation for future use of the island, allowing commissioners to consider comments and file the plan and schedule with FERC by late April.

Bob Bernd, Grant PUD commission president shared the sentiments of the board, “While this letter from FERC accelerates our time line to some degree, we have known for some time that difficult decisions regarding Crescent Bar Island were coming. After considering broad public input, amending our recreation plan and filing the SMP, we can now provide a path forward beyond 2012. We know it is impossible to fully please every interest, but are unanimous in our commitment to reach a solution that benefits future generations of Grant County residents and the recreating public.”

The SMP, the March 10 FERC-issued letter and background information on Crescent Bar Island can now be accessed on the Grant PUD Web site: http://www.gcpud.org/resources/resLandWater/shoreline.html
Written comment on the recommendation will be accepted via the Web site, by email and by postal mail beginning March 29.

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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:
Dorothy Harris
(509) 793-1516 / dharris@gcpud.org

Attachment: March 10 FERC Letter: Article 419 - Shoreline Management Plan - Crescent Bar Island