EPHRATA -  Grant PUD officials announced Thursday they were attempting binding arbitration to end a federal lawsuit concerning the residential use of the district-owned Crescent Bar Island.

R. Bruce Johnson, a Seattle attorney for the islanders, was unavailable for comment.

"We are beginning the next phase of this dispute resolution with the people of Grant County in mind," stated Tim Culbertson, Grant PUD general manager, in part. "Our efforts will be focused on demonstrating to the arbitration board that current leases expire this year and the utility is entitled to possession of the island. In the short term, we will not press for eviction of the island residents."

But the district advises the Port of Quincy to pay Grant PUD a reasonable rent to stay on the island after the lease expires in June, he commented.

The district proposed a settlement on Feb. 17 with Crescent Bar, Inc., asking it to stop claiming the district is required to extend the 1979 sublease to 2023, according to Sarah Morford, a Grant PUD spokesperson.

Arbitration is required as part of the 1979 sublease between the Port of Quincy and Crescent Bar, Inc., according to Morford.

It is the next step if Crescent Bar, Inc. doesn't accept the terms of the district's proposed settlement, she stated.

It is too early to know how long the arbitration would take or how much it could cost.

It is expected binding arbitration is faster than the court process and potential appeals, she commented.

Members of the arbitration board haven't been selected. It wasn't known Thursday if they would be drawn from a pool of Grant County registered voters, or if they would be selected by a judge.

Tom Park, of Crescent Bar Resorts at Sunserra, said he is happy the PUD and the islanders are going into binding arbitration. His business overlooks the island.

"I think this is great," Park said. "It's  moving forward. We need this matter resolved. This will help all matters be resolved."

He said he is in favor of the people staying on the island.

Grant PUD commissioners agreed Monday to hire an appraiser to determine fair market rent for the islanders.

The Port of Quincy now pays the district $100 per year as part of its lease with the PUD.

For more information, visit www.gcpud.org.