Advisory Groups

Before the EIS began, an initial phase of the Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary Long-Term Management Project leveraged advisory groups composed of governmental partners and agencies that have jurisdiction or regulatory authority within the project area. These groups met on multiple occasions to provide policy-level feedback, represent interests of their constituents, assist in review of technical materials, and consider a shared funding and governance model.

During the EIS process, the project team developed a process map that illustrates how these groups would continue to be engaged throughout the EIS process, in an advisory capacity.

Enterprise Services will continue to engage the stakeholders in the Work Groups during design and permitting.

The EWG included representation from governmental partners. The members shared policy-level feedback with the Project Team and ensured that the interests of their constituents were considered. They considered policy, community, and technical aspects of the project.

Video recordings of these meetings are available on the meetings page.

The TWG included representation from the resource agencies, the Squaxin Island Tribe, and other entities that would have regulatory/permitting authority in design and permitting, or would require close coordination regarding potential mitigation measures.

TWG members provided natural resources and permitting expertise and technical review of project material and issues related to long-term management of Capitol Lake – Deschutes Estuary.

Enterprise Services convened the FGWG to fulfill legislative proviso elements regarding identification of a conceptual option for shared funding and governance for long-term management of Capitol Lake – Deschutes Estuary. The FGWG is composed of the Squaxin Island Tribe and governmental partners. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources also has special interest in the governance discussion given its legal responsibility to manage state-owned aquatic lands, such as the Capitol Lake – Deschutes Estuary.

The Funding and Governance Work Group has developed a Memorandum of Understanding for long-term governance of the constructed assets within the Deschutes Estuary, and for shared funding of the maintenance dredging of increased sediment from the Estuary Alternative, through 2050.