2017-02-14 Public Utilities MeetingPublic Utilities Meeting
February 14, 2017
4:10 pm
Attendees: Commissioner Jackson, Fund, and Stamper, Jonathan Meyer, Anne Weckback, Tim Fife, Dan
Kay, Larry Unzelman, Glenn Carter, Recorder: Candace Hallom that several fairs around Washington get
LTAC money.
Pat McCarty spoke to the issues on Riffe Lake being low. They are intentionally holding the water down.
Last summer at Riffe Lake they had a good snow pack but it got really warm. They are anticipating the
lake to remain low over the next decade. This is due to the USGS recently revising its earthquake
predictions for the Cowlitz River basin. The revision affect the spillways of the dam and not the dam
itself. The Mossyrock Dam is not comparable to the dam in California. The plan is to keep the lake level
at around 30 feet lower than full. This will impact the swimming area and boat launch at the Mossyrock
Park. There are plan to construct a new swim beach at Riffe lake. There currently is no doc a Mossyrock
Park.
Commissioner Stamper clarified it will take ten years?
Pat McCarthy stated the time it will take to make a fix will take years because of the different steps.
Tacoma power will also have to determine if they will pay to make the final fix.
Glenn asked if the spillway has ever been used.
Pat McCarthy stated yes, they have to do a test every month and it was used in 2005 or 2006.
Glenn asked how this will effect generating power.
Pat McCarthy said Tacoma will generate less power.
Commissioner Stamper asked about the fish loss and what the next step is.
Pat McCarthy stated a year and a half ago they had an assessment done to develop an action plan.
Tacoma added some bird netting but birds are getting smarter. There are also challenges with the
counter. Tacoma is working with WFDW to try and resolve the issues.
Glenn asked if there will be additional issues with the fish because of the earthquake studies.
Pat McCarthy doesn’t anticipate any impacts.
Commissioner Stamper was asked if Tacoma power is privatizing the parks.
Pat McCarthy stated Taidnapam Park has two long term park managers. Arny is retiring in April. They
are looking at how to manage the park differently. One of the options could be to contract it out. It
could happen at Mossyrock Park down the road if the business plan shows it working at Taidnapam
Park.
Pat McCarthy stated in 2017 they are going to make available a water access grant.
Commissioner Stamper discussed opportunity for Packwood and a water access project. He wants to
see it get done at the Skate creek property.
Meeting ended at 5:05 pm.