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Ecology reports 60% design milestone on Deschutes Estuary restoration; dredge material will be reused for habitat
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Summary
The Department of Ecology reported it has received the 60% design package for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project, plans to reuse clean dredge material for habitat and shoreline berms, and is working with partners and on funding options; the governor's supplemental budget includes funding to reach 100% design, and Ecology is pursuing federal grants.
Bob Aktolabi, southwest region director for the Washington State Department of Ecology, told the joint SCC/CDAC that Ecology recently received the project's 60% design milestone package and is beginning a detailed review. Ecology formally assumed project leadership July 1 and has aligned internal staff and technical resources to manage design, contracts and the public-works responsibilities that remain with DES.
Major elements described include removing the dam, restoring the historic channel, dredging the channel and beneficially reusing clean dredged sediment to rebuild habitat areas and a vegetative berm that will provide ecological benefits and help address sea-level rise. Aktolabi said using dredged material on-site is significantly less costly than trucking it off-site and yields both habitat and long-term shoreline benefits. The project includes an interlocal agreement committing local partners to long-term maintenance responsibilities, including occasional dredging where needed.
Ecology reported it delivered the 60% package one day early and is conducting internal and external briefings (including the governor's office and Office of Financial Management). The agency said it expects to complete reviews and broader distribution of materials in late February or March and will return to the committee with additional detail. Aktolabi also said the governor's proposed supplemental budget includes funding to reach 100% design, and Ecology is actively pursuing non-state and federal funding with several grant applications in progress.
Committee members pressed on the estuary's aesthetics and tidal appearance. Senator Fortunato asked whether the exposed tideflats would be visually acceptable during low tides; Aktolabi responded that the project will create new habitat that supports birds and other wildlife, that the project underwent prior environmental review, and that the estuarine environment will provide long-term ecological and water-quality benefits for the South Sound. Aktolabi offered to return with further detail and to present the 60% design more fully at a future meeting.
No formal action was taken at this informational update.
