The document summarizes a special study session of the Olympia City Council regarding long-term management options for Capitol Lake. The Council was asked to direct staff to evaluate key issues affecting Olympia residents from different Capitol Lake management alternatives, and to implement a proposed public involvement process to gather input. Staff recommended Option 1: directing the proposed evaluation and public involvement approach to ensure the City's timely recommendation to the Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan committee.
The document summarizes a special study session of the Olympia City Council regarding long-term management options for Capitol Lake. The Council was asked to direct staff to evaluate key issues affecting Olympia residents from different Capitol Lake management alternatives, and to implement a proposed public involvement process to gather input. Staff recommended Option 1: directing the proposed evaluation and public involvement approach to ensure the City's timely recommendation to the Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan committee.
The document summarizes a special study session of the Olympia City Council regarding long-term management options for Capitol Lake. The Council was asked to direct staff to evaluate key issues affecting Olympia residents from different Capitol Lake management alternatives, and to implement a proposed public involvement process to gather input. Staff recommended Option 1: directing the proposed evaluation and public involvement approach to ensure the City's timely recommendation to the Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan committee.
The document summarizes a special study session of the Olympia City Council regarding long-term management options for Capitol Lake. The Council was asked to direct staff to evaluate key issues affecting Olympia residents from different Capitol Lake management alternatives, and to implement a proposed public involvement process to gather input. Staff recommended Option 1: directing the proposed evaluation and public involvement approach to ensure the City's timely recommendation to the Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan committee.
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SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
DATE 1/20/09 AGENDA ITEM 1
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION Olympia, Washington January 20, 2009
CLAMP/Deschutes River Estuary Alternatives Analysis
__________________________________________________________________ CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff to implement the proposed evaluation of Capitol Lake issues and public involvement approach.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Committee of Chairs asked staff to return to the City Council with an initial briefing and a proposed public involvement process.
STAFF CONTACT: Joe Roush, Program and Planning Supervisor, [email protected],
753-8563 Andy Haub, Planning and Engineering Manager, [email protected], 753-8475
ORIGINATED BY: Public Works Department
PRESENTERS AND OTHERS NOTIFIED: Nathaniel Jones, Washington State Department of General Administration
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan (CLAMP) Overview of Issues for Olympia 2. Proposed public involvement approach
BUDGET IMPACT/ SOURCE OF FUNDS: None at this time.
PRIOR COUNCIL/ COMMITTEE REVIEW: Council Committee of the Chairs, December 3, 2008
BACKGROUND: The State Department of General Administration (GA) manages Capitol
Lake as part of the Capitol Campus. In 1997, GA formed the Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan – Steering Committee (CLAMP), to help advise GA on short and long-term management of the lake.
The steering committee consists of four state agencies (General
Administration, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources & Department of Ecology), three local governments (Olympia, Tumwater, Thurston County), the Port of Olympia and the Squaxin Island Tribe. Councilmember Hyer represents City Council on the committee. In its first years, the committee began to consider options for the long term management of Capitol Lake. At that time, it was decided to maintain a freshwater lake during the next 10 years, while studying the feasibility of other management options.
From 2003 – 2008, the committee conducted a series of scientific
feasibility studies and alternative analyses. The evaluation has focused on three potential management options: a managed freshwater lake (similar in traits to the current lake), and two different estuary options.
The CLAMP committee is in the process of publishing comparative
summaries, three analysis options, as well as initiating a new round of public involvement. Later this spring, the committee will present a recommendation to the Director of General Administration, who will in turn recommend an option to the State Capitol Committee. The State Legislature will make the final decision regarding the lake’s future.
Olympia is a major stakeholder in the management of Capitol Lake.
CLAMP acknowledges the City’s role and encourages our input.
ANALYSIS AND OPTIONS: The attached briefing paper provides background on the CLAMP planning process and an initial evaluation of key issues that may affect Olympia residents (Attachment 1). The paper serves as an introduction to the issues that Council will evaluate in more detail over the course of the next few months. Specific issues include:
Sediment management and impacts on Percival Landing,
private marinas and the Port of Olympia Potential flooding in downtown Olympia Recreational activities and community events City streets and utility infrastructure Fish and wildlife habitat Water quality Local economy Visual appearance Cultural values
Staff has prepared a proposed public involvement approach for Council
consideration (Attachment 2). The approach includes dissemination of information using existing tools (media, City webpage) and small meetings with affected parties. Staff would summarize the input on the various issues and present the results to Council and the community at an informal open house later this spring.
Option 1: Direct staff to implement the proposed evaluation of Capitol Lake
issues and proposed public involvement approach.
Page 2 of 3 Implications
1. Dedicate staff time for further analysis of the issues and
implementation of the public process 2. Will likely require additional meetings with Council subcommittees, as well as an additional Council meeting in April prior to submitting a formal recommendation to the CLAMP committee. 3. Informal open house requiring City Council attendance in March or April.
Option 2: Modify the proposed plan to analyze the issues and/or proposed public involvement process, while still resulting in the City Council making a timely recommendation to the CLAMP committee.
Implications:
1. Additional or lengthy processes could jeopardize the City’s ability
to meet CLAMP timelines. 2. Financial resources for the work efforts are limited.
Option 3: Discontinue the work effort.
Implications: 1. Ability to shift City resources to higher priority work efforts. 2. Olympia concerns would not be considered by the CLAMP committee.
