EPHRATA - The Priest Rapids Coordinating Committee recently agreed on a long-term plan that sets the course for White River spring Chinook salmon for the next 13 years, according to Grant PUD.

The committee is made up of PUD officials and federal, state and tribal agency representatives.

The plan will lead to an independent scientific review and ultimately set a course for the White River program beyond 2026, according to a recent PUD press release.

The PUD has been implementing a spring Chinook program in the White River in Chelan County since 1997, according to the distrct. The program is a requirement of the utility's federal license to operate Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams.

The development of facilities in the White River basin to support a hatchery supplementation program was included in the program, according to PUD.

However, a Chelan County hearing examiner denied all necessary permits for the PUD to construct the proposed acclimation facility last spring.

The recent agreement approved by the committee includes the transfer of the district's requirement of producing 75,000 spring Chinook salmon smolts on the White River to Nason Creek through 2026.

Construction of hatchery facilities along the White River will also be delayed until at least 2026 under the agreement.

Temporary spring acclimation of fish will continue through 2016 as well, according to PUD.

Under the agreement, the utility will also monitor the fish population through 2026 and conduct and independent scientific review of the White River program to determine if artificial supplementation should be considered after the year 2026.

Each aspect of the agreement ensures that any future plans in White River will be based upon the best available science at the time, according to the utility.

Jeff Grizzel, of Grant PUD, said the utility is pleased with the terms of the agreement.

"Our intent all along was to be a good neighbor while also caring for the impacted species; this agreement allows us to potentially do both," he said.

"I believe this plan provides adequate time for us to develop a solution that better meets the needs of the local community as well as requirements outlined in our federal license."