Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary workgroup to discuss hybrid options for future management of Capitol Lake at June 24 meeting

On Friday, June 24, several local citizens will make presentations to the Capitol Lake/Deschutes estuary executive workgroup about their ideas for a dual estuary/lake hybrid management option, while others will present on the biological and economic benefits of dam removal and estuary restoration.

The presentations are scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. at the 1500 Jefferson Street building in Olympia.

The presentations are part of an effort by the Department of Enterprise Services to take a pro-active approach to public engagement in an effort to reach community agreement on the long-term management of Capitol Lake.

A list of the presenters and their specific topics is available on the Enterprise Services Capitol Lake website – see the blue-colored box on the right-hand side of the webpage.

Next Workgroup meeting

Earlier on June 24 – from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. - the Capitol Lake/Deschutes estuary executive workgroup will hold its regular monthly meeting. The meeting topics include:

• Hearing a presentation on the Capitol Lake/Budd Inlet water quality study currently being conducted by the Department of Ecology.
• Continuing the discussion about the methodology for reviewing best available science around water quality and habitat issues at Capitol Lake.
• Starting a discussion to identify possible hybrid options for the future management of Capitol Lake.

The complete June 24 meeting agenda is posted on the Capitol Lake webpage.

The workgroup is made up of local and tribal government representatives. The 2015 Legislature directed Enterprise Services to make progress on reaching an agreement about the long-term management of Capitol Lake. The department invited representatives from the Squaxin Island Tribe, cities of Olympia and Tumwater, Thurston County and the Port of Olympia to form a workgroup to assist the department with the legislative directive.

Upcoming meetings

Executive workgroup meeting:

When: Friday, June 24, 2016 - from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 1500 Jefferson Street building, Presentation room
What: Work session. The public is welcome to observe; no comment will be taken.

Community presentations relevant to Capitol Lake planning:

When: Friday, June 24, 2016 - from noon to 2 p.m.
Where: 1500 Jefferson Street building, Presentation room

Community input meeting on identification of hybrid options:

When: Wednesday, June 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1500 Jefferson Street building, Presentation room

The Capitol Lake/Deschutes estuary workgroup is currently seeking community ideas for possible hybrid options – part freshwater or saltwater reflecting pool, part estuary – that would make improvements to fish and wildlife habitat and ecosystem functions, while also maintaining a historic reflecting pool at the north end of the lake/estuary.

The workgroup is also seeking community input on whether the draft "Purpose and Need" statement, which could provide the foundation for a future Environmental Impact Statement, is consistent with the previously agreed upon goals for the future management of what is now known as Capitol Lake.

Input can be provided by completing the online survey on the Capitol Lake webpage. This survey will be open until June 30.

The 1500 Jefferson Street building is located about halfway in between 14th Avenue SE and Maple Park Avenue SE in Olympia, just south of the roundabout. Get directions.

Enterprise Services manages the 260-acre reservoir known as Capitol Lake as part of the 486-acre Capitol Campus.

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