Title
Approval of a Resolution and Letter Expressing Support for the Estuary Alternative 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 Estuary Alternative for long-term management of Capitol Lake - Deschutes Estuary and a letter to the Department of Enterprise Services expressing such support.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution supporting the Estuary Alternative for long-term management of Capitol Lake - Deschutes Estuary and a letter to the Department of Enterprise Services expressing such support.
Staff Contact:
Eric Christensen, Water Resources Director, Public Works Department, 360.570.3741
Presenter:
Eric Christensen, Water Resources Director, Public Works Department
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.
DES released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (draft EIS) for the Capitol Lake - Deschutes Estuary Long-Term Management Project, including information on long-term management alternatives and key findings from a thorough technical analyses. The management alternatives analyzed included:
* No Action - existing conditions with no changes to operations.
* Managed Lake - similar to the existing Capitol Lake but with additional actions to meet lake management objectives. The 5th Avenue Dam would be retained and overhauled to significantly extend the serviceable life of the structure.
* Estuary - restore tidal flow to conditions similar to the historic Deschutes Estuary. The 5th Avenue Dam would be removed, and a 500-foot opening would be created to reconnect the Capitol Lake Basin with Budd Inlet.
* Hybrid - restore tidal flow to conditions similar to the historic Deschutes...
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