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Correspondence: July 15

staff
July 15, 2010

PUD moving forward with Crescent Bar planning

Your public utility is moving forward with plans for full public access to Crescent Bar Island. As your elected representatives, we remain committed to the unanimous decision we made in April that will allow the lease with the Port of Quincy to expire.

The commission considered many issues prior to approving full public use of Crescent Bar Island after 2012. While the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) did not dictate our path forward, our decision is consistent with FERC policy that does not condone private use of federal project lands. Our decision supports the license requirement for extensive increases in public recreation opportunities in the Priest Rapids Project. It also prevents the need to mitigate for the loss of public use of the island, which would be very costly and required by FERC if long-term residential use continued.

Our decision was not taken lightly, nor was it made in haste. Grant PUD commissioners and employees spent more than a year soliciting broad public comment in preparation for a final decision. This decision has been reinforced by an overwhelming positive response from our customer-owners.

Crescent Bar Island will continue to be a destination for those who love water sports and sunshine. It is our hope that everyone – current and future generations, local residents and those from outside the area – will create memories and rich traditions by visiting Crescent Bar Island in scenic Grant County.

— PUD commissioners, Bob Bernd, Randy Allred, Tom Flint, Greg Hansen and Terry Brewer

Supports PUD on

Crescent Bar plans

Finally! The time has come for the families of Quincy and Grant County to have a public recreational area on the Columbia River. I strongly support PUD’s plan for Crescent Bar Public Park.

If I understand correctly the federal regulators stated the lease would expire in 2012; so what do the private parties not understand? In my estimation their pleading and threats at Quincy City Council meeting were unbecoming. I am willing to pay for additional Grant County protection as we will have something worth protecting for everyone to use and enjoy; not only now but future generations to come. Dr. Suess said it so well...”Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened!”

— JoAnne Phillips

For Bernd

I am writing this letter in support of Bob Bernd’s re-election as a commissioner for Grant PUD. I’ve known Bob for many years. He is retired from a successful business career and has a 40-year history of community service. Bob’s business acumen, integrity and teamwork style have led him to leadership positions in many areas in which he has served.

I’ve followed the accomplishments of Bob in his first term and find that he has done exactly what he said he’d do. He has proven that he’s not in the pocket of any special interest group or business. He has worked cooperatively with agriculture, industry and other ratepayer groups to balance their shared and sometimes competing needs fairly. He has worked with management to find efficiencies and better ways to do things.

Bob has lived in Grant County his entire life, and he and his wife, Sharon, enjoy having their children and grandchildren live here, too. He understands the importance of low rates, excellent service and diverse opportunities for the residents who live here and own the PUD. His record on the PUD reflects this commitment.

There are more challenges ahead in keeping our PUD financially strong and serving all customers. During these times, I want someone with Bob’s integrity, talent and skill — as well as the vast amount of knowledge about the PUD gained during his first term — working on my behalf. I trust him to do what is in the best interest of all PUD ratepayers.

— Lew Mason, Moses Lake