Title
Approval of a Resolution Supporting the Decision Durability Scorecard Identifying the City’s Level of Support for Alternatives for Long-Term Management of Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution supporting the Decision Durability Scorecard Identifying the City’s Level of Support for Alternatives for Long-Term Management of Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution supporting the submittal of the Decision Durability Scorecard to the Department of Enterprise Services as part of the Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary EIS Process.
Staff Contact:
Eric Christensen, Water Resources Director, Public Works, 360.570.3741
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director, 360.753.8495
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) is conducting an environmental review process under the State Environmental Policy Act for the Capitol Lake - Deschutes Estuary Long-Term Management Project.
In June 2021, DES released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (draft EIS) for the Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary Long-Term Management Project. The draft EIS included information on long-term management alternatives and key findings from in-depth technical analyses. The management alternatives included: 1) No Action, 2) Managed Lake Alternative, 3) Estuary Alternative and 4) Hybrid Alternative.
In accordance with Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6248, a Preferred Alternative was not selected in the draft EIS but will be identified in the final EIS scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2022.
During the draft EIS public review period, on August 10, 2021, the Olympia City Council passed Resolution M-2248 supporting the Estuary Alternative. In addition, on October 7, 2021, the City of Olympia and the Squaxin Island Tribe enacted an Accord that includes a commitment to support the restoration of the Deschutes Estuary and efforts to restore treaty-protected salmon populations.
As part of the Preferred Alternative Identification Process, DES is requesting additional input from stakeholders (including City of Olympia) by December 17, 2021 on the Decision Durability selection criteria. Decision Durability is one of the selection criteria that DES will use in selecting the Preferred Alternative. DES has requested this input through completion of a Decision Durability scorecard that identifies each stakeholder’s level of support for each management alternative evaluated in the draft EIS.
Taking guidance from Resolution M-2248 and the Accord between the City of Olympia and the Squaxin Island Tribe, staff has prepared the proposed Decision Durability scorecard outlining the City’s strong support for the Estuary Alternative.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
What to do with Capitol Lake has long been a focus and concern of the community. There are strong opinions around all the long-term management alternatives. The draft EIS addresses the community’s key concerns of improving water quality, managing accumulated sediment, improving ecological functions and enhancing the community’s use of the resource.
Options:
1. Approve a Resolution Supporting the Decision Durability Scorecard Identifying the City’s Level of Support for Alternatives for Long-Term Management of Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary.
2. Modify the Decision Durability Scorecard to address Council concerns prior to approving submittal to DES.
Financial Impact:
None at this time. As outlined in the draft EIS, the Estuary Alternative would be the least-cost action alternative over the 30-year planning horizon.
Attachments:
Resolution
Decision Durability Questionnaire