Enterprise Services seeks input on what to study in Environmental Impact Statement related to long-term management of the waterbody

OLYMPIA – The Department of Enterprise Services invites the public to comment on the scope of an environmental review for Capitol Lake/Lower Deschutes Watershed. The 260-acre waterbody is located on the Washington State Capitol Campus.

The purpose of scoping is to determine the range, or “scope” of issues to study, and is the first step in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. A 48-day comment period begins Sept. 26 and ends Nov. 13. Comments will be taken online, via email, on paper and in person during two open houses in October.

We’d especially like your thoughts on:

• Alternatives
• Potential environmental impacts
• Potential mitigation measures to avoid or minimize impacts
• Permits or other approvals that may be required

Learn more and participate

To learn more, visit CapitolLakeWatershedEIS.org.

Online open house: CapitolLakeWatershedEIS.participate.online

Background

Capitol Lake/Lower Deschutes Watershed includes the 260-acre Capitol Lake Basin on the Washington State Capitol Campus. It is maintained by Enterprise Services (DES). The waterbody suffers from numerous environmental issues:

Water quality standard violations

• Sediment management issues
• The presence of invasive species
• Restricted active community use

Alternatives

When complete, the Capitol Lake/Lower Deschutes Watershed EIS will identify a preferred long-term management alternative.

At a minimum, the EIS will evaluate alternatives for:

• A Managed Lake that would maintain the existing reflecting pool.
• A Restored Estuary that would remove the existing Fifth Avenue Dam to restore the historical tidal estuary.
• A Hybrid that would include elements of both—a smaller reflecting pool would be developed near Heritage Park and a barrier would be constructed to support a restored tidal estuary west of the barrier.
• A No Action alternative (required by the State Environmental Policy Act)

Several options or variations of the primary alternatives have been proposed, and additional concepts may emerge during the EIS scoping process. A screening process will be used to identify the range of alternatives that move forward for detailed technical review in the EIS. Concepts will be evaluated for their ability to meet project objectives and their feasibility.

How to comment

People can view information about the EIS and comment at any time during the comment period. Some options are available 24 hours a day:

Online: CapitolLakeWatershedEIS.participate.online
Via e-mail: Comment@capitollakewatershedeis.org
In writing: Bill Frare, Department of Enterprise Services, PO Box 41476, Olympia, WA 98504

In-person scoping meetings: Two October meetings feature an open house from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and a verbal comment session from 6 to 8 p.m. People may also submit written comments at the meetings.

• Oct. 10 at Hotel RL, 2300 Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia
• Oct. 22 Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington Street S.E., Olympia

What’s next

Following the comment period:

• A scoping report will be issued in early 2019 to describe the primary themes from comments received during scoping, and define the scope of the EIS.
• A screening process will be used to identify a range of reasonable alternatives to move forward for detailed technical review in the EIS.
• Work will begin on a Draft EIS, and is expected to continue through 2019 and into 2020 given the complexity of this project.
• Enterprise Services will seek public comment on the Draft EIS, once it is complete, likely in 2020.
• After considering these comments, a Final EIS will be issued. The Final EIS will identify a preferred alternative.

More information

Sign up for updates at capitollakewatershedeis.org

Learn more about EIS scoping for Capitol Lake/Lower Deschutes Watershed: CapitolLakeWatershedEIS.participate.online

Learn more about all 3 phases of long-term planning for the Capitol Lake / Lower Deschutes Watershed