PUD discusses community center, Grays River dam

In the May 6 meeting of the PUD, commissioners heard presentations from the Horizons Group, the Department of Ecology and Snohomish PUD.

Dave Cummings, Engineer with the Water Resources Office of the Washington State Department of Ecology, gave the board a presentation on water rights for the Grays River area.

He told the board that he could help pursue funding sources for the project, help with applications and perform simple cost estimates, however, he said, “we are not project advocates. We are a public agency subject to disclosure laws.”

He said in the year 2000, legislature created the “Cost Reimbursement Option.”

This is a contract between the applicant (PUD) and DOE promising that Ecology will be reimbursed for private consultation costs in a water rights application. While this takes less time, he explained, the cost can be high.

“The water rights system in Washington is based on seniority," he said. "If you have the first of a file on a water source, you are first in line.”

As of a few weeks ago, Cummings said, there was no one in line for a water rights application for a storage project. He said it would take about six months, but a decision would be guaranteed.

“A decision does not necessarily guarantee a right; it guarantees a decision,” he said.

David Cornell, representing Snohomish PUD, gave a preliminary report about hydropower on the Grays River.

He presented a two plan focus for the river; a high dam, or a run of the river (ROR). He described the pros and cons of both options including cost estimates. Cornell said he isn’t an engineer, but he would like to be able to draft a series of conclusions for the community.

Craig Brown, a member of the Horizon’s Group told the board organizers are presenting their program to local meetings to inform the public at large the intention of possibly creating a community center for Wahkiakum County.

Brown said the group’s research discovered the best way to ensure community center success is to open it to the public. He said they have visited centers in other rural areas and found mistakes they hope to avoid.

Brown emphasized how critical the WSU extension office has been in obtaining the grant to bring the group to the point they have reached. Brown said the group will soon need to set up a non-profit.

“We are no longer going to be the ‘Horizon Program’,” he said. “We are going to have to create a brand name recognition under a new name, but the missions will still be the same.” The group will be applying for grants in late summer and are looking for sponsors.

In other business, Manager Dave Tramblie told the board the meter reading schedule will need to be adjusted. He said his goal would be to consolidate the routes of meter readings.

Currently, one route is read per week, but because some routes take less time then it should alleviate the four to five week billing schedules. Tramblie said it is his intention to implement the plan in September when bills tend to be at their lowest.

Tramblie told others consolidation could make billing dates similar from month to month.

Tramblie said the PUD will be required to provide fire retardant clothing to all electrical workers effective January 1, 2009. He said he is working on an assessment of potential employee exposure. A plan will be drawn explaining what type of FR clothing will be required.

Commissioner Larry Reese asked if the clothing is damaged, would the PUD be responsible for replacement. Tramblie said they would.

The board discussed Senate Bill (SB) 6717 regarding PUD commissioner salary increases. It was decided that the discussion would be tabled to the next meeting so Attorney Tim Hanigan could provide a draft resolution for review.

The next PUD meeting will be May 20 at 8:30 a.m.

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