Grant PUD makes no commitments, works with residents

EPHRATA - About 10 homeowners were seeking answers about their future on Crescent Bar island during a meeting this week with Grant County PUD staff.

Residents asked for the meeting because a lease between the utility and the Port of Quincy will expire in 2012.

The lease allows about 1,000 people to live on the island, which is on the Columbia River about 10 miles north of Vantage.

A recent PUD staff report does not recommend the lease be renewed, according to the report.

No commitments or decisions were made about the lease during the meeting.

"There's lots of folks there concerned about their future," Doug Caton, a spokesperson for the residents' group said. "That's obviously the biggest concern, but we're not even close to understanding what that means."

The utility is addressing the issue because of the renewed Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license to own and operate PUD dams on the Columbia River.

The island lies within the dams' boundaries and FERC requires a 75-foot shoreline buffer zone and a flood control zone that would raise the water by 3.5 feet, the utility's interim natural resources manager Joe Lukas said.

That means part of the trailer park on the island would be flooded.

Caton said he thought the meeting started out on the right foot.

"There were no surprises whatsoever," he said. "We had all done the homework on this."

Caton said the meeting was held to scope out and learn about the issues and how the two groups might work together.

"We look forward to future meetings with them," he added.

Some Crescent Bar residents offered to help the PUD with its recreation plan because they know how the island's visitors use the property, Caton said.

Kelly Larimer, the utility's land resources manager, said the PUD wasn't yet in a position to answer the residents' questions about extending the lease.

But the two groups did start defining the scope of the issues needing to be worked through, she said.

"From our perspective, we know we're trying to work through this in a clear and positive manner," she said. "Basically, we're just trying to define what the issues are and what the obligations are with our new license."

The utility plans to develop a communication plan to help define everyone's roles and responsibilities, she said.

Larimer said staff members couldn't answer policy questions because those decisions are up to the PUD's commissioners.

Sarah Morford, a PUD spokesperson, said the shoreline management program connected to the water levels is designed to protect the area's habitat.

She said she does not know the consequences for not following the federal guidelines.

"It was a good kickoff." she said about Wednesday's meeting.

The PUD is planning on having individual meetings with the Port of Quincy and Grant County commissioners, she said.

Earlier this week, PUD commissioners talked about the list of proposed discussion items for staff members' meeting with residents.

Until the utility meets with the Port of Quincy, Commissioner Terry Brewer said he didn't want to address the questions about providing a timeline to extend the lease or the port's possible role in a new lease.

Brewer said he understands the importance of tenants wanting a timeline, but thought the PUD needs to speak with the port.

Commissioner Bob Bernd said the utility needs to find out if it's in its best interests to terminate the lease or enter into a new lease. He later added he wasn't currently in favor of having the island's residents move.

Commissioner Tom Flint said if the PUD gives the residents an answer about a lease timeline, it would sound as if a commitment is being made. He also said he wants to look at all of the options.

"I want to make sure we have enough time to meet with all the stakeholders," Flint said. He also said he wanted the PUD to be able to work through all the issues involved.

Lukas said that staff recommends that an appropriate timeline about the lease be discussed.