CRESCENT BAR - It appears the folks who live at Crescent Bar and the Grant County PUD, which have battled in court for more than the years over residency rights, can work together.

Work to improve boat navigation near Crescent Bar is expected to begin next month, after an agreement struck between Grant PUD and Crescent Bar Inc.

Grant PUD will remove about 45,000 cubic yards of sediment in the channel that connects the Crescent Bar Boat Launch with the Columbia River. The boating channel is dry because of the reservoir drawdown at Wanapum Dam.

"We are happy to work together with Grant PUD to come up with a plan to get the dredging project completed. This is something that will be good for the whole community." Crescent Bar Inc.'s Randy Hoefer said.

PUD Board President Bob Bernd said: "There has been much interest from all involved parties on doing this work now while the reservoir level is down. This is the right time to do this project and we believe it will provide a great benefit for recreation in the area for many years to come when it is finished."

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous was hopeful about all future dealings between the PUD and the people, saying: "I'm encouraged by the progress that Randy Hoefer and the PUD's Jeff Grizzel have made regarding this project."

The drawdown is expected to continue until the fourth quarter of this year. It was needed to allow repairs forced by a crack in a spillway. The PUD is in the process of reinforcing all of the spillways.

According to publicist Chuck Allen, Grant PUD is accelerating its plan to dredge the channel, a recreation enhancement required under its federal license, so the work can be performed during the dry conditions.

"Doing so will reduce environmental impacts, provide better quality control, allow for a shorter construction period and provide a cost-savings to Grant PUD ratepayers," Allen said.

The PUD will hold an abbreviated bid process for qualified contractors. Preliminary work is expected to begin in mid-August, after a contractor is selected and all the necessary permits and approvals are obtained.

According to Allen, the majority of the dredging will take place after Labor Day weekend to reduce impacts to residents and those recreating in the area. It is anticipated that the project will take 6-10 weeks to complete and should be finished before Grant PUD begins raising the level of the Wanapum reservoir.