EPHRATA - Grant County PUD officials will announce some time in January whether or not any part of the Columbia River shoreline between Wanapum Dam and Rock Island Dam will be opened for public access before the water is raised back up to normal operating levels.

"We're in the process right now of evaluating the shoreline," said Chuck Allen, PUD public affairs officer. The PUD could reopen parts of the shoreline before the pool is raised all the way back to normal operating level, or it could wait until the water is back up and open the whole shoreline at once, Allen said. "We don't know exactly what will be the final outcome."

The shoreline was closed following the discovery of a crack in a spillway pillar at the Wanapum Dam in late February. The closure affected about 90 miles of shoreline, according to information released by the PUD during the summer.

Utility district officials hired extra security to patrol the shoreline, with an estimated cost of $450,000 to $600,000 per month during the summer recreation season, according to the PUD.

Allen said there's no timeline yet for a decision, except that it will be some time in January.

The review process actually involves federal and state agencies as well as Native American tribes along the river, Allen said, groups who are considered stakeholders in the decision. "There are several interests beyond Grant PUD's interests," he said.

The goal has been to return to normal operation, including opening the river for recreation, as quickly as possible, Allen said. "This action that we've taken is an emergency action," he said. "A temporary situation that we anticipate will be resolved this upcoming year."

Utility district officials hope to have at least some sections of the riverbank open before the traditional opening of the summer recreation season in May, Allen said. But if that doesn't happen the goal is to have the shoreline open by the time the recreation season begins, he said.

The PUD conducted an investigation into the causes of the crack, and traced it to some calculation errors during the design process. That meant repairs were required for all spillway pillars. Those repairs are currently underway and are expected to be completed by March 2015.

It's not the intention to close the shoreline long-term, Allen said. "We have a requirement to provide for public recreation along the reservoir," Allen said.

The PUD has spent money upgrading recreation facilities along the river, Allen said, including three boat launches that were temporarily unusable due to the low water levels.

Allen said PUD officials are aware of the public's concerns, and don't want to keep the shoreline closed any longer than necessary.