EPHRATA - About four people shared their concerns Monday about Grant County PUD's off-island recreation planning for Crescent Bar.

Their concerns included a lack of sidewalks, grass removal, adding gravel to a beach area, what they perceive as "excessive and unnatural" vegetation and the creation of wildlife habitat within 100 feet of human population.

No decisions were made Monday, but PUD staff will meet with a group of community members about their ideas this month, according to Kelly Larimer, a district lands and recreation manager.

Staff is challenged with balancing the permitting process and what they are allowed to do, she explained.

Grant PUD commissioner Tom Flint said the area, for the most part, had not been an open public access area.

"No one will get their way all the time," he said. Flint added they certainly want to do their best and provide due diligence in their efforts.

Alex Popoff, a representative of the orchards community, said he had been coming to Crescent Bar for some time because of the recreational opportunities.

The community committee he sits on found the PUD's plan to be excessive in some areas, he said.

Joe Brunswick, of Quincy, said there is no parking along the proposed trail and no sidewalks. There already is a problem with congestion and increasing traffic doesn't help.

Tom Park, of Crescent Bar Resorts at Sunserra, said, in part, that he has to run a business and was concerned about the possibility of the area being a "madhouse."

Jon Bergman, a Crescent Bar-area resident, said it is a mistake to remove the dock above Crescent Bay Resort.

Brunswick mentioned his concern about the area's fire station being removed and said he hadn't heard the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) said to move it. If it is removed, the nearest fire station is in Quincy.

Commissioner Tom Flint said is had been discussed between fire chiefs in Grant County and Douglas County to share a fire station.

Grant PUD commissioner Terry Brewer said he also had concerns about more pedestrian traffic being put on a county road.

"I question why we would extend this trail to a wetland area and don't see a real benefit to taking it farther," Brewer said.

Brandon Little, a Grant PUD staff member, explained the proposed loop helps keep people on a trail and reduces the impact to natural vegetation.

Jerri Mickle, of Grant PUD, clarified the district was trying to prevent the public from crossing private property and meandering away from the trail.

The district is in the process of finalizing public recreation development plans and is 90 percent complete, according to Sarah Morford, a district spokesperson. The plans include dredging, boat launch and parking renovations, conversion of the off-island campground into a day use area, a shoreline trail swim area, restrooms, signs and other features, she explained.

Construction costs are expected to cost $9 million, with $1.2 million spent to date.

The community group wrote their FERC with the suggestions.