Title
Joint Study Session with the Tumwater City Council to Receive a Briefing on the Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary Long-term Planning Process
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a joint study session with the Tumwater City Council and receive a briefing from the State Department of Enterprise Services staff about the Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary Long-term Planning Process.
Report
Issue:
In 2016, the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services hosted a series of meetings with key stakeholders to discuss the future options for Capitol Lake. Staff from DES will be at the study session to brief the City Councils of Olympia and Tumwater on this work and to describe proposed next steps.
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, (360) 753-8370
Rich Hoey, Director, Public Works, (360) 753-8495
Andy Haub, Line of Business Director, Public Works, (360) 570-3795
Presenter(s):
Bob Covington, Deputy Director, Department of Enterprise Services
Jessi Massingale, Environmental Engineer/Oceanographer, Floyd|Snider
Background and Analysis:
More than 65 years ago, the State of Washington built a dam across the Deschutes River and created Capitol Lake as an amenity to the State Capitol campus. Over time, numerous questions and debates have arisen about the lake's contribution to water quality concerns, fish run impediments, sedimentation, flood control and other issues.
For the past many years, State agencies, local governments, interest groups, the Squaxin Island Indian tribe, and various other individuals have discussed and debated whether the lake should continue or be restored to an estuary or some hybrid option.
In 2016, in response to a Legislative proviso, the State DES hosted a series of meetings toward creating a plan for the lake/estuary. Mayor Cheryl Selby and Councilmember Julie Hankins represented the City of Olympia on the Executive Work Group. City Manager Steve Hall and P...
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