HELP DEFINE THE FUTURE OF THE
CAPITOL LAKE – DESCHUTES ESTUARY

Long-term management strategies and actions are needed to address issues in the Capitol Lake – Deschutes Estuary project area.

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared to document the potential environmental impacts of various alternatives and determine how these alternatives meet the long-term management objectives identified for the watershed. The primary alternatives to be evaluated, at a minimum, include:

  • Estuary
  • Hybrid
  • Managed Lake
  • No Action (required in an EIS)

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW?

The EIS Project Team is following all state guidance related to Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” and current COVID-19 guidance, in the interest of the health and safety of the team and the public. This does not impact development of the EIS or overall project schedule.

Fieldwork and technical analysis began in early 2019.The EIS Project Team is busy conducting the range of technical analyses that will be summarized in the Draft EIS and will inform future selection of a preferred alternative for the Capitol Lake – Deschutes Estuary. The Draft EIS is expected to be issued in summer 2021, followed by a public comment period.

Enterprise Services will continue to engage the project Work Groups throughout development of the EIS. Information on Work Group meetings, including dates, times, agendas and summaries is available on the meetings page.

In early 2019, Enterprise Services convened a Community Sounding Board (CSB) to provide feedback on various EIS elements.

WHEN IS THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO GIVE INPUT?

Input is formally accepted at two key points in an EIS process – at the outset during scoping, and then when a Draft EIS is available for public review. The public comment period for the Draft EIS is likely to be in mid-2021.

Project timeline including Phase 1: Planning, Phase 2: Environmental Impact Statement, and Phase 3: Implementation. Public comment periods occur in Late 2018 during scoping and 2020 following release of the Draft EIS.

STAY UP TO DATE ON OUR PROGRESS

Preparing an EIS is a multi-year process and you have an essential role to play. Please join our email list to receive project updates. We will also keep the website up to date as the project progresses!

For questions about the project please email info@CapitolLakeDeschutesEstuaryEIS.org.

OTHER LANGUAGES OR ACCOMMODATIONS

To request information in other languages please email info@CapitolLakeDeschutesEstuaryEIS.org or (360) 407-9323.

Para solicitar información en otros idiomas, envíe un correo electrónico a info@CapitolLakeDeschutesEstuaryEIS.org or (360) 407-9323.

Để yêu cầu thông tin bằng các ngôn ngữ khác, vui lòng gửi email đến info@CapitolLakeDeschutesEstuaryEIS.org or (360) 407-9323.