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Capitol Lake - Deschutes River Estuary Feasibility Study
BACKGROUND
The Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan (CLAMP) process is a collection of nine governmental entities, including several state agencies, an Indian Tribe, and local governments seeking to improve the management of Capitol Lake. One of the key Management Objectives in the Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan – 10 Year Plan, 2003 – 2013 (2002) is to undertaking an estuary feasibility study of Capitol Lake. |
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PROJECT OBJECTIVE
The objective of the estuary feasibility study is to evaluate the possibility of a restored estuary as an alternative to the continued management actions necessary to maintain a lake in this setting. This will involve evaluating the potential benefits and shortcomings of possible estuarine alternatives and identifying those alternatives which have a reasonable likelihood of success, could be permitted by the regulatory agencies, and are supported by the local community.
PROJECT GOALS
The goals of the Estuary Feasibility Study are to:
- Increase our understanding of the estuary alternative to a level equal to continued management of the lake.
- Determine if it is possible to create a viable, self-sustaining estuary given all the existing physical constraints and the urban setting.
- Identify the potential influences of flooding, existing infrastructure, sedimentation and water quality beyond Capitol Lake and into Budd Inlet.
- Create an objective analysis of the costs and benefits of the estuary alternative in terms of social and environmental issues.
- Provide the completed study to the CLAMP Steering Committee for scientific review which will be the basis for a recommendation on the long-term aquatic environment of the basin.
STUDY TASKS
The Estuary Feasibility Study contains 12 tasks which are listed below:
- CLAMP Technical Advisory Committee Review & Steering Committee Oversight,
- Conceptual Model of Estuarine Process and Community Values,
- Reference Estuary Survey,
- Bathymetric Survey,
- Hydraulic and Sediment Transport Analysis and Modeling,
- Biological Conditions Report,
- Design and Preliminary Cost Estimates,
- Net Benefit Analysis,
- Report Development,
- Independent Technical Review,
- Community Review, and
- Project Management.
SALMON RECOVERY FUNDING BOARD (SRFB) GRANT TASKS
In 2004 Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) received funding from the SRFB to address several but not all of the study tasks. The SRFB grant will focus on data collection and modeling, and will address the following study tasks.
1. CLAMP Technical Review & Steering Committee Oversight
3. Reference Estuary Study
5. Hydraulic and Sediment Transport Analysis and Modeling
6. Biological Conditions Report
10. Independent Technical Review
11. Community Review
12. Project Management
SRFB BUDGET
The SRFB grant has a budget of $330,740. Of this amount, about 67% or $221,740 will be provided by the SRFB with the remaining $109,000 being local match. The local match is to be provided by three entities: Washington Department of General Administration (GA) for $69,000, Puget Sound Action Team (PSAT) for $30,000, and the Port of Olympia for $10,000. While the Puget Sound Action Team is not a CLAMP entity, it will be considered as such for this grant through its contribution of local match.
SRFB PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Thurston Regional Planning Council will undertake this SRFB grant on behalf of the Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan (CLAMP) Steering Committee and the CLAMP Technical Advisory Committee. (See CLAMP Study Task 12 above) TRPC will administer the SRFB grant, manage the contracts with the various consultants, and work with the CLAMP entities to review, interview and select suitable consultants. TRPC will also provide regular project updates to the CLAMP Steering Committee, State Capitol Committee, and other interested parties.
SRFB CONSULTANTS
The Deschutes River Estuary Restoration Study will require consultant contracts for three of the CLAMP Study Tasks being:
3. Reference Estuary Study
5. Hydraulic and Sediment Transport Analysis and Modeling
6. Biological Conditions Report
The U.S. Geological Service (USGS) Coastal and Marine Geology Program will undertake CLAMP Study Task 5 - Hydraulic and Sediment Transport Analysis and Modeling. Consultant proposals are being sought to complete tasks 3 & 6.
The REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL packet for CLAMP Study Task 3 - Reference Estuary Study, and CLAMP Study Task 6 - Biological Conditions Report is available below.
For additional information contact Steven W. Morrison, Senior Planner, (360) 956-7575.
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