EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners awarded a $6.9 million contract on Oct.13 to the West Company of Medical Lake for recreation improvements along the Columbia River shoreline at Crescent Bar.

The contract was awarded with a stipulation that the PUD must receive approval for the proposed plan from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Ross Hendrick, the PUD’s license and compliance manager, said the process allows the public to review the application and file requests for changes.

Five requests were filed, Hendrick said and, as a result, the application must go to the FERC board of directors. He estimated Nov. 19 will be the earliest the FERC board will consider the PUD’s application.

That might delay the work on the riverbank until 2016, said Shannon Lowry, the PUD’s land resources and recreation manager.

The plan includes a boat launch with an ADA-compliant boarding float, day use mooring for boats, a fuel float and a swimming beach. The picnic area will have three shelters, 17 tables and three grilling spots. There’s a one-mile walking trail and a restroom with shower facilities.

In answer to a question, Lowry said the biggest problem with pushing back the riverbank construction is how it might affect the work on Crescent Bar Island. That’s scheduled for 2016, with completion in 2017.

The plans for recreation upgrades follow the settlement of a longstanding dispute between Crescent Bar Island lessors and the PUD, which had announced it would vacate all leases for the two RV parks and condominiums on the island.

The lessors filed suit in federal court. The two sides reached agreement in last spring.

New leases were part of the deal, along with new appraisals on the properties. The appraisals should be done by the end of October, Lowry said.

The Grant County Fire Marshal will review the report on the fire safety system and make recommendations, she said.

The two sides are working on a maintenance contract, she said. Under its terms Crescent Bar, Inc., would be responsible for some maintenance.

Commissioners approved a design for recreation improvements on the island in July.

As the construction work begins, PUD officials will be meeting with interested parties about every month, Lowry said.