News release

State committee to update public June 20 on estuary study

Consultant to describe benefits and drawbacks for converting Capitol Lake

OLYMPIA – The public is invited to learn more about a recently completed report that describes the projected benefits, drawbacks and uncertainties of returning Capitol Lake in Olympia to an estuary, a place where freshwater and saltwater mix.

The public can offer comments about the report at a community meeting scheduled for 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 20 at Olympia City Hall.

The “Net Benefit Analysis” is the fourth and final consultant’s report being done as part of the $1 million Deschutes Estuary Feasibility Study. The $50,000 technical report describes the social and economic effects of restoring the Deschutes River estuary.

The goal of the $1 million Deschutes Estuary Feasibility Study is to determine if it is physically, biologically and socially feasible to convert Capitol Lake, a 260-acre man-made impoundment, back into part of Puget Sound. A decision regarding the future of Capitol Lake will follow completion of the study.

The Net Benefit Analysis report says restoring the Deschutes Estuary could improve fish and wildlife habitat, but may adversely affect the local economy due to increased costs for dredging the Port of Olympia and local marinas. The report recommends further economic and biological studies to reduce the uncertainties of the potential changes resulting from restoring an estuary.

The state Department of General Administration is responsible for maintaining Capitol Lake. The lake was formed in 1951 when the state dammed the Deschutes River where it empties into Budd Inlet.

The Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan Steering Committee, an advisory group to General Administration, is hosting the community meeting.

What:    Community Meeting – Net Benefit Analysis/Deschutes Estuary Feasibility Study
When:   Wednesday, June 20, 2007
               Open House: 6:30 p.m. Meeting: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where:  Olympia City Hall
               900 Plum St. SE, Olympia, WA

More information about Capitol Lake and the Deschutes Estuary Feasibility Study are available at: www.ga.wa.gov/CLAMP