The Newsletter of the Alpine Lakes Protection Society (ALPS) 2018 Issue No. 1 Karl Forsgaard Icicle Work Group releases DPEIS for comment
by Karl Forsgaard Above: Excavator at Eightmile Lake dam. On May 31, Chelan County manipulate water levels on seven and the State Department of lakes within the Alpine Lakes Also in this issue: Ecology announced the release Wilderness: Colchuck, Eightmile, Snohomish P.U.D. finally aban- of the Draft Programmatic Upper and Lower Snow, Nada, dones Sunset Falls project...... 4 Environmental Impact Statement Lower Klonaqua and Square DNR plans new trail to Oxbow (DPEIS) for the “Icicle Creek Lakes. Creeks impacted by the Lake...... 5 Watershed Water Resources manipulation include Eightmile, Management Strategy.” The French, Icicle, Klonaqua, Leland, ALPS turns 50...... 6 release initiates a 60-day Mountaineer, Prospect and Snow Fred Beckey dies...... 6 public comment period, with Creeks. Unending saga of Travel a comment deadline of July One of the DPEIS alternatives Management in Okanogan Wenachee NF...... 7 30. ALPS will be submitting proposes to drain an eighth lake, comments on the DPEIS. Upper Klonaqua, by installing Olympic goats will move...... 9 The DPEIS presents five a siphon or pump or blasting a Grizzly update...... 14 action alternatives, all of tunnel between Upper and Lower Changes to ALPS Board of which seek to construct dams Klonaqua Lakes. Trustees...... 14 and related structures and Continued on page 2 Kachess SDEIS released for comment...... 15 ALPINE 1 Continued from page 1 Alternative 4 includes chapters list consultation and several egregious proposals for coordination efforts, references, In other words, Alpine Lakes construction in the Wilderness: and contributors Wilderness remains at risk of drilling a tunnel between two DPEIS Appendix A is a “SEPA future water development, lakes (Upper and Lower Klonaqua Responsiveness Summary” including negative impacts to the Lakes); building a higher dam that includes the May 2016 wilderness lakes, streams and at Upper Snow Lake (enlarging scoping comments, with a table ecosystem. These projects would that lake); and a higher-than-ever summarizing comments and set bad precedents for the National dam at Eightmile Lake (making responses. Forms of the word Wilderness System, and must be that lake bigger than it has ever “relinquishment” appear many opposed. been). These projects were not times in the comments column, but This article will first describe part of the proposed action in never in the response column. DPEIS content, followed by Icicle the SEPA scoping conducted by IWG in 2016, so the public was Appendix B is a report Work Group background, recent entitled “Eightmile Lake Storage events including the Eightmile not provided an opportunity to comment on them during scoping. Restoration Feasibility Study,” dam “emergency,” and what you dated April 2018, prepared by can do to comment on the DPEIS. Like Eightmile “Restoration,” these projects run afoul of federal Anchor QEA LLC and Aspect DPEIS content wilderness law and state water Consulting LLC. It was prepared for IPID and Chelan County. The DPEIS describes six law. They are unprecedented in alternatives, including a No-Action the National Wilderness System. Appendix C is a report entitled alternative, IWG’s “Base Package” Alternative 5 includes the Feasibility Study – Alpine Lakes of component projects, and four “Full IPID Pump Station,” which Optimization and Automation,” other alternatives that combine would move IPID’s point of dated April 2018, prepared by “Base Package” components with diversion downstream to the Aspect Consulting LLC. It was other projects. The DPEIS and its Wenatchee River, and greatly prepared for Chelan County. appendices total 1,674 pages. improve flows in Icicle Creek Appendix D is a table of Alternative 1 is the IWG without building bigger dams in “WDFW Priority Species and “Base Package” of component the Wilderness. However, like all Preferred Habitats.” Appendix projects; it appears likely to be the of the alternatives, Alternative 5 E consists of copies of easement agencies’ preferred alternative (“… includes the defective Eightmile agreements and deeds. “Restoration” project to make this alternative represented the Appendix F is a report entitled Eightmile dam higher than it has best recommendation available “Changing Streamflow in Icicle, been since 1990, i.e., to enlarge after four years of study by IWG Peshastin and Mission Creeks,” Eightmile Lake. members”). dated May 12, 2017, by the UW Alternative 2 was developed The DPEIS is organized into Climate Impacts Group, followed by IWG “in response to SEPA chapters. Chapter 1 includes by a series of “Flow Charts scoping comments that requested background information, of Instream Flow Benefit per examination of pump station purpose and need, and the Alternative Based on Climate options and omission of the IWG “guiding principles.” Change Modeling,” prepared by Alpine Lakes Optimization, Chapter 2 provides narrative Aspect Consulting LLC. summaries of the alternatives. Modernization and Automation Background project.” Chapter 3 describes the affected environment including earth, The co-lead agencies on the Alternative 3 “is a response water resources, water use, fish DPEIS (Ecology and Chelan to SEPA scoping comments and wildlife, vegetation, aesthetics, County) are also co-conveners that expressed a desire for air quality, climate change, noise, of the Icicle Work Group (IWG). an alternative that excluded land use, wilderness, shorelines, One of the IWG goals is to extract projects within the Alpine Lakes transportation, cultural resources more water for “new home Wilderness Area. … It calls for and socioeconomics. Chapter 4 construction” in the Wenatchee a legislative change to waive describes anticipated impacts of Valley. They also claim to solve impacts to instream flows when each alternative and mitigation instream flow problems in Icicle conservation and pump-exchange- measures. Short-term and long- Creek near the Leavenworth based supplies cannot perfectly term impacts are organized by National Fish Hatchery, to protect meet demand required to provide resource, impact type, alternative, tribal fishing rights and improve domestic reliability.” and project. The remaining irrigation reliability.
2 ALPINE We appreciate the irrigators’ UW Climate Impacts Group method for getting an excavator to need for water to irrigate projections of a dramatic decrease the dam (on the ground through their orchards and keep them in flows during the peak season the wilderness) was not going to productive. We do not object to in the next 50 years. The letter be approved by the Forest Service, the exercise of valid, existing concluded that in light of the making the cost much higher (the water rights, but we question an recent climate change analysis excavator was flown in by a large assertion of water rights that have and the non-compliance with the helicopter). been relinquished or are otherwise Wilderness Act, the proposed dam In December 2017, ALPS invalid. While we appreciate the construction at Eightmile and submitted a letter signed by 33 goal to improve instream flows Snow Lakes, and the Klonaqua organizations requesting that in Icicle Creek, it is contradictory Lakes Tunnel proposal should be IWG conduct a public meeting to exploit one natural area under removed from consideration in the in the Seattle area as part of the the guise of enhancing another, upcoming DPEIS (unfortunately, public involvement process for particularly when other options these bad projects are included in the upcoming DPEIS release, and are available. the DPEIS released a year later). allow a public comment period The Alpine Lakes Wilderness At the July 2017 meeting of of at least 90 days. The letter is one of the nation’s more IWG, it was announced that the was submitted to the Governor’s popular wilderness destinations DPEIS release would be postponed office because IWG leadership and attracts people from around from July to October 2017 (it was had been non-responsive when the world, particularly to the later postponed several more times these requests were made earlier Enchantments Basin, known for before being released on May 31, in the year. The letter asked its competitive permit lottery. 2018). that the Seattle-area meeting With 615 miles of trail (including At the July 2017 IWG meeting, be considered an official public a section of the Pacific Crest Trail), ALPS reminded IWG of the meeting, announced in the same world-class climbing, hiking and issue of relinquishment of IPID way, held and facilitated in the backpacking, and 400,000 acres water rights at Eightmile Lake, same way, and public comments of spectacular mountain scenery where there are only pieces of treated the same way as proposed and lakes, the area is beloved by the former dam, and those pieces for the Leavenworth public recreationists and is an important have not held water in decades meeting. However, IWG rejected contributor to the regional (so an entirely new dam is what is these requests, providing only an recreation economy. being proposed at that site, not a unofficial informational meeting For several years, a coalition “repair”). ALPS also said that the in the Seattle area, and a comment of more than 40 conservation and Eightmile “restoration” project will period of only 60 days. recreation organizations has co- be litigated if there is any effort Snow Lake valve NEPA signed comment letters submitted to make the dam higher than it process by ALPS to the IWG, including has been, so the decision on the scoping comments two years ago relinquishment issue would be In October 2017, two IWG for the DPEIS. For more history, made by a judge. member agencies (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish & see the last few years of Alpine Also at that July 2017 meeting, (2017 issue No. 1; 2016 issue No. 1; Wildlife Service) released a draft ALPS said IWG appears to Environmental Assessment (EA) 2015 issue No. 1; 2014 issue No. 1); think that because Wilderness they can be viewed on the ALPS under NEPA, to replace an existing is undeveloped and not private water discharge control valve on website at: http://www.alpinelakes. property, it will cost less to do org/newsletters.html. the Upper Snow Lake tunnel. The something in Wilderness, but IWG EA said it was “routine operations In June 2017, ALPS and the needs to shift its thinking and and maintenance,” which was not Wilderness Society submitted realize that because Wilderness is true, because the EA proposed to IWG a letter signed by 39 owned by everyone and has been to install a new valve that would organizations, stating that IWG designated for protecting wildness be 60% larger than the existing has not adequately identified for future generations, it will valve, i.e. a 60% increase in the and explored viable options for actually cost more, not less, to do water discharge rate. Construction improving stream flows that are something in Wilderness (if it can plans included up to 30 round-trip compliant with the Wilderness be done there at all). helicopters flights over a seven- Act. The letter also said IWG These ALPS comments were to 21-day span. The EA falsely falls short in representation from validated ten months later, when described a public scoping process the conservation and recreation IPID discovered that its planned community. The letter cited Continued on page 10 ALPINE 3 Snohomish P.U.D. finally abandons Sunset Falls project
by Rick McGuire
Sunset Falls on the south fork Skykomish river.
After many wasted years, and flows and everything running full terms of damsites. There are very millions of dollars, the Snohomish tilt. The average power production good reasons why Sunset Falls Public Utility District (P.U.D.) has would have been far less, and what was always rejected in the past as a finally shelved its plan to build a power it would have produced practical damsite. diversion and powerplant on the would have come during the time Why, then, did the P.U.D. pour South Fork Skykomish river at of year when there is the least so much money into what was Sunset Falls, a mile or two above demand for it. obviously a loser of a project? the confluence of the North and The project’s output would Some say it is “dam envy,” a South Forks of the Skykomish. have been a drop in the bucket disease that seems to afflict mostly The plan was ill-conceived compared to the total electric public utilities that purchase most from the very start. Sunset Falls use in Snohomish County. The or all of their power from the had been looked at in the past as geology of the area is terrible. A Bonneville Power Administration. a hydropower site and always number of clay slides, old and For some reason, B.P.A. power rejected. The P.U.D. claimed that new, are present in the area and seems insufficient to satisfy the the project would have powered would have been a constant threat empire building instincts often “thousands of homes.” That highly to the project had it been built. The found in such agencies, though it misleading statistic was based on P.U.D. was scraping the bottom the best case scenario at high water of the barrel with Sunset Falls in Continued on page 5
4 ALPINE Continued from page 4 others, have called into question whether the whole concept of DNR plans new satisfies actual electricity demand “public power” has lost its way. trail to Oxbow just fine. With private, investor owned Another reason may be that the utilities, directors and shareholders Lake in Middle real resource at Sunset Falls was provide a brake on throwing not the Skykomish River so much money away on senseless projects, Fork Snoqualmie as the bonding and borrowing at least in theory. Most of the senseless, low power, high expense capacity of the P.U.D. With its The Washington Department hydro projects in recent years have guaranteed, steady revenues of Natural Resources is proposing been proposed or built by public, from supplying electricity to a new trail to circle around the not private, electric utilities. Snohomish County, the P.U.D. is a “Oxbow Lake” in the Middle Fork lender’s dream. P.U.D. managers Thankfully, Sunset Falls faced Snoqualmie valley. The trail will commonly put their own interests effective and persistent opposition. follow a loop route around the ahead of their customers, even Residents of the area near Sunset lake, and also provide access to the though P.U.D.’s were formed to Falls were practically unanimous river. in their opposition to it. Numerous “cut out the middleman” and The Oxbow Lake is a very environmental groups opposed supply inexpensive electricity unusual feature for the Cascades. it, and did all they could to shine to their customers. Such was the Occupying a section of old Middle some light on the misbegotten purpose of Snohomish P.U.D. Fork riverbed, the lake appears project. ALPS wishes to thank all when it was formed in 1949. to be fed by tributary streams on those who stood against it year Much has changed over the the west side of the river. Likely after year. intervening decades. P.U.D. it receives water directly from the managers often look forward to Snohomish P.U.D. has built Middle Fork during high flow lucrative jobs with consultants other uneconomic low power events. hydro projects, most recently on who they have hired for efforts The Oxbow looks similar to Hancock and Calligan Creeks, like that at Sunset. This often bayou or southern swamp forest, both tributaries of the North Fork leads to horribly bad decisions, only with Northwest species Snoqualmie. Sunset Falls was an not just in Snohomish County instead of cypresses. ALPS order of magnitude greater in but at public utilities all across members plan to review the route both scale and folly. ALPS, and North America. Perhaps the with DNR staff. most egregious example among other groups will need to remain many is the Muskrat Falls dam in vigilant. It is very unlikely that In other Middle Fork news, Newfoundland. The provincial Snohomish and other public the road crowding problem electric utility ignored warning utilities are done with their push is starting to be addressed by after warning that Muskrat Falls for more “green” low power the “Trailhead Direct” shuttle was a terrible place to put a dam. projects. But for now, we can program, which will initially But they went ahead and built the celebrate that the South Fork provide transportation to Issaquah hugely expensive dam, largely Skykomish won’t be forced into Alps and Mt Si trailheads. Service atop clay, and producing very little expensive, and precarious pipes at is planned to expand to Mailbox power. Sunset Falls. Peak in the lower Middle Fork. It is hoped that service can eventually Muskrat Falls was, however, be extended to include other a great deal for the financiers. So Middle Fork trailheads, helping to great that the average electricity solve the problem of too many cars bill in Newfoundland is now $150 on the narrow Middle Fork road. per month higher than before the Muskrat Falls project, and will stay that way forever. The parallels between Sunset and Muskrat Falls are chilling. Snohomish P.U.D.’s customers have dodged what would likely have been a very expensive bullet with the cancellation of the Sunset Falls project. Projects like Sunset and Muskrat Falls, and a number of
ALPINE 5 ALPS turns Fred Beckey, 1923 – 2017 50 by Matt Perkins On October 6, 1968 a group of conservationists from the westside agreed to meet a similar group from the eastside. They hiked together to Hyas Lake, then retreated from the rain to Salmon La Sac campground to conduct some business. On that Sunday afternoon they formed a group of specific defenders spanning both sides of the Alpine Lakes area and agreed to call it the Alpine Lakes Protection Society. Fifty years later – to the day – Don Wilde, Fred Beckey and Pete Schoening at Cashmere Crags. past and present ALPS members will meet again at the Salmon Fred Beckey passed away on for “good” climbs, combining the La Sac campground on October October 30, 2017, at age 94. Known ascent of a visually striking feature 6, 2018. This year it falls on a by all as “Fred,” he was the most with enjoyable climbing terrain. Saturday. No fireworks or brass prolific mountain climber ever He was driven, but he shied away bands, this will just be a get to roam the American west. He from unnecessary risk — that’s together to renew acquaintances invented a vagabond on-the- why he lived to age 94. and honor the day. cheap lifestyle featured in the Fred did a lot of his early We plan to start gathering recent climbing movie about climbing in what is now the Alpine around 11 and eat lunch him, Dirtbag, and he enjoyed that Lakes Wilderness. In particular, midday. If we can, we’ll reserve lifestyle almost without a break for he returned again and again to the picnic shelter. Otherwise, 80 years. He was also a scholar and the Enchantment Plateau where just look for the group. produced an astounding collection he bestowed many of the features of meticulously researched with whimsical names: The High Lunch will be potluck. If guidebooks, histories and, in 2011, you want to bring warm food, Priest, The Blop, The Boxtop. Fred his opus work: Fred Beckey’s 100 also liked literature and culture consider a stop at the deli in one Favorite North American Climbs. of Cle Elum’s groceries. Please and he published the Enchantment bring your own plates, cutlery, In 1942, Fred and his brother names based in Norse mythology and drinks. Helmy shocked the climbing world that had been coined by local with their audacious second ascent legends Peg and Bill Stark. As a ALPS has never been big on of Mount Waddington, in British result, we now have Aasgard Pass, ceremony, and this will be no Columbia (this peak had turned Naiad Lake, and Valhalla Cirque. exception. If some old timers away many organized expeditions Fred lived and breathed decide to wax eloquent about led by the strongest climbers of the occasion, we won’t stop mountains. He studied them the day and these two youngsters and he documented their natural them, but don’t expect a string just walked in and climbed it; Fred of long boring speeches. history, their native inhabitants, was 19 and Helmy was 17). His and their exploration. His legacy In the unlikely event that quest for unclimbed mountains inspires an interest in the wild. Salmon La Sac campground is and new routes led from Mexico to He is buried in Mountain View closed that day, the backup plan Alaska, and from the Pacific coast Cemetery, outside Leavenworth, is to meet in the picnic area at to the Rocky Mountains. He made Washington, with a view of his Lake Easton State Park. more “first ascents” than anybody beloved Enchantments. Hope to see you! else ever has, and he had an eye
6 ALPINE The unending saga of Travel Management in Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest by Charlie Raymond
Growing recognition that NEPA process for decision with long appreciated car-camping off-road vehicle (ORV) use presentation of a formal proposed opportunities, the misuse of posed one of the most serious action for public comment. The vehicles within them could be threats to sustainability in the OWNF set a target for publication every bit as damaging as in the National Forest System prompted of a DEIS late in 2009 or 2010 after past without careful management the introduction of a national additional analysis of comments with resources for strong policy enunciated in the “Travel on the proposed action. This enforcement. Management (TM) Rule” (https:// timeline was pushed into the Since the Draft EA, the FS has www.fs.fed.us/recreation/ future multiple times until end been analyzing public comments programs/ohv/final.pdf) published of 2014 when the NEPA process with a recent target for Final in 2005 (November). The TM Rule was abandoned for a less rigorous EA and decision in December, requires that off-route (cross- Environmental Analysis (EA) that 2017. While that is past, there is country) motorized travel would could be concluded more rapidly. expectation of publication in the be prohibited on all National A Draft EA was published near future. That will be followed Forest lands. Each National in June of 2016 setting out by a 45 day Objection Period, an Forest would publish “Motorized 4 Alternatives, a no-action additional 45 Objection Resolution Vehicle Use Maps” (MVUMs) Alternative (A) and 3 action Period (if there are objections) showing designated routes (trails) Alternatives (B,C and D), all 3 then signing of final decision. We and limited areas legally open banning motorized cross country don’t know what the OWNF will for specified types of vehicles travel except in areas identified on present for MVUMs in its final EA (motorcycle, ATV, 4X, Jeep). Time the relevant MVUM as required decision, but something very close line was to implement the Rule by the TM Rule. Within the ALA to Alternative B of the DEA seems including publication of MVUMs the action alternatives are all very likely. by end of 2009. The history has close to status quo with regard So at this point in the ORV been long, and implementation in to the trail system. Roads open the Okanogan Wenatchee National journey we can happily anticipate to mixed use by highway-legal the long, overdue implementation Forest (OWNF) has still not been and off-road vehicles (motorcycle, completed. of the signature stipulation of ATV and WATV) are not proposed TM that cross-country motorized The Rule is highly significant for the immediate ALA in any of travel be explicitly/unequivocally for the Alpine Lakes Area (ALA), the Alternatives, although these illegal. On the other hand, it is especially in the Cle Elum Ranger are significant issues in the wider disappointing that we have not District of the OWNF. In some OWNF. (The Draft EA including progressed beyond the default trail areas most trails are open to maps and related information system of 2005 with its problems of ORV use with impacts on the is available at the Forest Service progressive deterioration of parts lands around the Alpine Lakes website https://www.fs.usda.gov/ of motorized trails, associated Wilderness affecting popular project/?project=46467.) environmental impacts and access routes, hiking areas and The Alternatives differ balance of hiking versus ORV in some places remote boundary primarily with regard to along- recreation. Many people and areas of the Wilderness. road camping corridors open to organizations including ALPS In 2005 the OWNF began motorized access with Alternative provided input to the Forest a sequence of steps toward C having a very small proportion Service about these problems with implementing the Rule including of roads so designated, Alternative no recognizable consequence. public meetings presenting D having a very large proportion The TM Rule enables review of information about the Rule, and a “preferred” Alternative B the MVUM by individual Ranger explanations of its motivations and being intermediate. The proposed Districts, and our work continues. specific proposals for MUVMs as camping corridors are 300’ wide We have to hold the FS to the goals well as opportunities for public to each side of a road, excluding comment at critical steps. In spring near-stream areas. While these of 2009 OWNF initiated a formal corridors would maintain the Continued on page 8
ALPINE 7 Continued from page 7 of the TM Rule that have not yet grips with over-snow motorized common experience at the busy been fully accomplished. It is time travel (snowmobiles) in the context road heads and trails accessing for another broad assessment of of the TR Rule. the Wilderness. Give them a try! conditions on motorized trails in The Alpine Lakes is certainly It is important for all of us to let the Alpine Lakes Area. We need one place where we need to the relevant District Ranger know to see how the new designation of continue our attention. Let’s not about serious problems related to camping corridors actually works. forget that the area around the ORV use (as well as any success) And there will be pressure to add Alpine Lakes Wilderness offers that we recognize as we camp and new motorized trail and mixed-use many great hiking opportunities hike in these areas. with ATVs and WATVs on roads. often much quieter than the Most of OWNF has not come to Karl Forsgaard Klonaqua trail sign.
8 ALPINE olympic mountain goats to be moved to alpine lakes region of cascades
by Rick McGuire
The National Park Service, U.S. goat population growing at the Olympic goats to the Cascades as a Fish and Wildlife Service, and the phenomenal rate of eight percent way of covering up their decades- Washington Department of Fish per year. Some of their behaviors long mismanagement of native and Wildlife (WDFW) appear to be have become unnatural, including Cascade goats. Many Olympic close to taking the much needed, little or no fear of people, goats will be moved into the long anticipated and long delayed sometimes following people in Alpine Lakes region of the central step of completely removing the hopes of getting salt from urine. Cascades. WDFW plans over 100 population of non-native, highly One hiker was killed by an helicopter flights, either into the destructive mountain goats from Olympic goat on Hurricane Ridge Alpine Lakes Wilderness or just the Olympic Mountains. a few years ago. But the argument outside it. These goats were released into can certainly be made that the While it is good to see these the goat-free Olympic Mountains real problem there was humans destructive animals finally about a century ago, to provide invading the goats’ home, not eliminated from the Olympics, at sport hunting opportunities. There goats going after people. least some people do not welcome are no records of exactly where It is good to see a plan to WDFW’s plan to move many of they came from, but most experts remove them totally from them here. It remains to be seen seem to think they came from the the Olympics after decades how much harm they might cause. norther Interior Ranges of British of dithering by the agencies. Hikers may need to become more Columbia, and coastal Alaska. However, instead of simply vigilant and aware of the danger, These non native goats have eliminating the goats, a fair or at least annoyance, that they been a growing problem ever number will be transported into could present. since they were turned loose. the Cascades. Although the same Unfortunately, helicopters Alpine plant communities in the species of goats are native to will once again be declared the Olympics evolved without goats. the Cascades, these particular “minimum tool” necessary for use The goats’ presence has been very goats have lived in a non native in the Wilderness. But even though destructive, especially to a number environment for a century. There some are uneasy about putting of uncommon, rare, or even unique are worries that they could bring some of these Olympic goats into plants, especially in the high their problem behaviors with the Cascades, their eliminination elevations of the dry northeastern them. from the Olympics after years of corner of the Olympics. Many WDFW has allowed far too effort almost certainly outweighs places where these plants grow, or much hunting of native Cascade any problems that may arise from grew, have become goat wallows. goats, and their numbers have putting some of them into the The near-total absence of plummeted in recent years. It Cascades. predators has led to the Olympic appears that WDFW sees moving
ALPINE 9 Continued from page 3 IPID also circulated a memo Preservation Act, and Endangered describing the project, proposing Species Act (ESA).” that had never occurred. The “to walk an excavator up to the In mid-April, IPIS submitted a agencies allowed only a short, 15- lake without doing much damage Scope of Work memo prepared by day comment period on the draft to the forest.” IPID later said its consultant Anchor QEA. The EA; ALPS coordinated comments this would cost $2,000 to $3,000, memo proposed construction of from a coalition of organizations. compared with the more expensive a new dam between August and The agencies then announced option of $100,000 to fly the November. It did not acknowledge there would soon be a new excavator there by helicopter. In any necessity of obtaining permits comment period on the defective May, the Forest Service refused to from the U.S. Forest Service (IWG draft EA. The Revised Draft EA allow IPID to “walk” the excavator members have a history of such was released just before Christmas, through the Wilderness on the omissions; the Snow Lake valve with comments due after the New ground, so it was flown in. IPID EA barely mentioned the Forest Year holiday in January 2018. had grossly underestimated the Service). cost of that part of its project. ALPS again coordinated comments On May 4, the Forest from a coalition. The agencies later On March 23, Ecology’s Dam Service said it is bifurcating the announced the Snow Lake valve Safety Office directed IPID “emergency” response from the project would be postponed into to prepare an incident report separate project to repair and 2019. including details of its proposed replace the dam. The Forest repair work. On March 26, the Service refused to authorize the Eightmile “emergency” in Dam Safety Office wrote that Spring 2018 latter for several reasons; IPID had the Eightmile Feasibility Study not yet submitted a well-defined In March 2018, IPID declared of June 2017 (prior version action plan; IPID had not perfected an emergency regarding the of DPEIS Appendix B) had its 30% design drawings for a Eightmile dam. IPID cited the geotechnical provisions that new dam; IPID needed to prove Jack Creek Fire of 2017, the risk of were “not acceptable to the it has not relinquished part of its increased runoff from the burned DSO” and “unacceptable” and water rights; and IPID’s deed does area, the risk of sudden failure of “not adequate”; additional not give IPID the right to “walk” the Eightmile dam, and Ecology’s requirements were specified by the an excavator across Wilderness Dam Safety Office change of the State. lands to get to the dam site. The dam’s hazard classification from On March 30, the U.S. Forest Forest Service also said it needs “Low” to “High.” Chelan County Service wrote to IPID that its to look at impacts of raising the also declared an emergency and dam repair/replacement proposal lake level with a higher dam, as directed the County Sheriff to “contains elements that are well as the impacts of drawing alert the public and develop an beyond the scope of the rights down the lake level lower than Emergency Action Plan. ALPS reserved by IPID in the Special it has been (by installing a new monitored the emergency efforts Warranty Deed.” The Forest pipe at a lower level). The Forest to stabilize the Eightmile dam to Service requested IPID to “submit Service said “the time is not yet ensure the stabilization activities a detailed proposal” for both the ripe” for discussing a new dam address current safety concerns emergency abatement and any at Eightmile. We appreciate the and not expanded water capacity. long-term actions to replace the Forest Service actions to enforce In mid-March, IPID submitted dam, and stated: our laws and protect the Alpine a SEPA Checklist for its Eightmile “Any modification to the Lakes Wilderness. “Emergency Repair/Replacement dam and ground disturbance By early May the snowmelt Project.” It proposed to start (equipment operation, road had filled the lake. Media reports construction of a new dam by July construction, etc.) of the of “recent” erosion of the earthen 15 (after the lake level was lowered surrounding lands may require embankment at the dam may about 20 feet) and complete it by a Special Use Authorization from have been unwittingly referring October 30, 2018, excavating about the Forest. The federal action of to erosion that occurred in a 1990 7,000 cubic yards of material and authorizing activities on National flood, 28 years ago. The Forest placing about 200 cubic yards of Forest Lands is subject to a wide Service consented to IPID’s concrete. IPID also issued a press variety of laws including (but proposed emergency abatement release describing the emergency not limited to): Wilderness Act, actions to widen and harden the and stating it would “try to get the National Environmental Policy dam’s spillway (the crest of the dam replaced this year.” Act (NEPA), National Historic Continued on page 11
10 ALPINE embankment) which did “not IPID or the Leavenworth National have national significance. Please materially change the size and Fish Hatchery’s diversionary or alert your out-of-state contacts and scope of the dam.” IPID flew an storage water rights.” ask them to comment as well. excavator to the site by helicopter It is alarming that Ecology, For more info, contact ALPS at on May 12 (see cover photo taken [email protected] that date). By May 17, the spillway the co-convener of IWG and co- modification work was done (see lead agency of the Icicle DPEIS, Points to include in your before and after photos on page has allowed the IWG process comments: 13). Also on May 17, Ecology to consume so much time and public funding since 2013 without • Please tell the agencies that the installed lake level monitoring Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a equipment (two months after determining such a fundamental question, especially since ALPS shared natural resource that the emergency was declared). must be respected and protected. The County conducted a public and others have been pounding this specific issue for years. The It is one of the nation’s more meeting in Leavenworth about popular wilderness destinations the dam emergency, and told the public cannot comment upon the merits of Ecology’s determination and attracts people from around public that a breach of the dam the world, particularly to the was not imminent. until after Ecology makes it and discloses it. This is another reason Enchantments Basin, known for As we went to press in mid- that preparation of a Final PEIS its competitive permit lottery. June, a month after the excavator would be premature; the DPEIS • The DPEIS fails to meaningfully work at Eightmile, IPID had should be revised to address the consider fundamental legal reportedly “paused” its design above deficiencies, and a Revised issues that will determine of a new siphon for emergency Draft PEIS should be released for which proposals can and cannot abatement at Eightmile until public comment, before a Final EIS be built, including federal July or later, while attempting to is prepared. wilderness law and state water remove the obstructions from its law. The DPEIS assumes IPID’s old pipe. What you can do: easements supersede federal The DPEIS states (at p. 2-68): The Alpine Lakes Wilderness wilderness law, which is wrong. needs you! There is a public “Because of the timing of IPID’s The DPEIS also fails to fully comment deadline of July 30. emergency declaration, the draft analyze limitations on the scope Submit your personal comments. PIES [sic] does not contemplate and validity of IPID’s water Links to the DPEIS and this action’s impacts on the rights, which would limit several information on how to comment proposed alternatives. This may proposals. are located on the Chelan County be evaluated further in the final • Alternative 4 is the worst. web site: http://www.co.chelan. PEIS.” It includes drilling a tunnel wa.us/natural-resources/pages/ between two lakes (Upper However, because there are so environmental-review. In addition, and Lower Klonaqua Lakes); many huge gaps in the DPEIS, it let your elected officials (state and building a higher dam at Upper should not proceed to the “final federal) know how important this Snow Lake (enlarging that lake); PEIS” stage yet. Rather, a revised issue is to you. Draft PEIS should be released to and a higher-than-ever dam at Attend the DPEIS correct the deficiencies, supply Eightmile Lake (making that lake public hearing and open house the missing analysis and allow the bigger than it has ever been). on Wednesday June 27, from 4:00 public to comment on that new All of these lakes are inside the to 8:00 pm, at the Leavenworth material. Alpine Lakes Wilderness. These Festhalle, 1001 Front Street, projects are unprecedented in Two weeks after it released Leavenworth, WA. the National Wilderness System. the DPEIS, the State Department Attend the Icicle Work Group’s These projects were not part of Ecology wrote this on June 14, informational meeting on Monday of the proposed action in the 2018: June 25, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at SEPA scoping conducted by “The IPID and the Leavenworth the State Department of Ecology IWG in 2016, so the public was National Fish Hatchery both office in Bellevue, WA (3190 – 160th not provided an opportunity have storage water rights that Avenue S.E.). to comment on them during originate within the Alpine Lakes scoping. The DPEIS analysis The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Wilderness… At this time, Ecology of these proposals is grossly and these precedent-setting issues has not made an extent and inadequate. IPID has no right to validity determination of either Continued on page 12
ALPINE 11 Continued from page 11 • IPID’s water rights were granted biodiversity. We are concerned for the designated purpose of that IWG has not done adequate enlarge Eightmile Lake, and has irrigation. The DPEIS proposes sampling and monitoring of never had any water rights at to use IPID water for other impacts from past releases Upper Klonaqua Lake. purposes, such as the fish into these wilderness streams, hatchery and domestic use in including cumulative impacts. • Alternative 5 is the least harmful Leavenworth, but IPID has alternative. It includes the “Full • Conservation components in the no right to use water for these DPEIS are simply insufficient. IPID Pump Station,” which additional purposes. would move IPID’s point of They need to be expanded to diversion downstream to the • For new storage, “restoration” significantly reduce demands Wenatchee River, and greatly storage and “optimization” on Icicle Creek’s water, thereby improve flows in Icicle Creek, projects, the timelines and allowing its watershed to especially in future decades estimated costs stated in the function more naturally. This when climate change will reduce DPEIS are highly suspect, will better support our region’s flows in the Icicle watershed. because the DPEIS fails to livability and economy over However, Alternative 5 also account for the fact that the long-term. includes the defective Eightmile these lakes are on National • While we appreciate the goal “Restoration” project to make Forest lands inside the Alpine to improve instream flows in Eightmile dam higher than it has Lakes Wilderness. The DPEIS Icicle Creek, it is contradictory been since 1990, i.e., to enlarge repeatedly ignores protections to exploit one natural area under Eightmile Lake. of the Wilderness Act. It the guise of enhancing another, repeatedly ignores the land • The DPEIS fails to account for particularly when other options management role and authority are available. IPID’s relinquishment of part of the U.S. Forest Service on of its water rights at Eightmile these National Forest lands. It • The DPEIS should be revised to Lake. Water that IPID has not repeatedly ignores the fact that address the above deficiencies. used now belongs to the federal major federal actions require A Revised Draft PEIS should be government under the federal analysis under the National released for public comment. reserved water right doctrine. Environmental Policy Act If the dam is rebuilt it should (NEPA). SEPA is not NEPA. The remain at its current elevation, true costs of Alternatives 1, 2 and where it has been since at least 4 are likely much higher than the 1990. Any dam rebuilding must DPEIS estimates, and closer to be approved by the U.S. Forest the cost of Alternative 5. Service and must comply with the National Environmental • Because the projects are in Policy Act (NEPA) and other Wilderness, non-motorized federal and state laws. access and non-motorized equipment (i.e. hand tools) • The Eightmile “Restoration” and traditional skills should project assumes a new dam be required whenever feasible. will be higher than the current Since the dams were originally one, and fails to analyze the built that way, the exceptions alternative scenario where should be rare. IPID is not allowed to build a new dam any higher than the • The DPEIS repeatedly ignores current one. That alternative is the negative impacts on the missing, and thus the DPEIS fails riparian ecosystems in the to present an adequate range Alpine Lakes Wilderness from of alternatives. The wilderness the proposed unnaturally timed protection community has releases of water from lakes, repeatedly told the DPEIS which alters stream hydrology. authors that there will be The DPEIS generally fails to litigation to enjoin any effort to recognize that altering the make the dam higher. Litigation natural flow regime can degrade takes time and money on both a stream’s physical and chemical sides. properties, leading to loss of aquatic life and reduced aquatic
12 ALPINE Karl Forsgaard Eightmile dam: above, before excavator work; below, after. Karl Forsgaard
ALPINE 13 Grizzly Plan Changes to Alps back from Board of Trustees
dead? Readers may notice some vehicles. ALPS wishes to thank changes to the ALPS Board of Karl for the countless hours he has After reports that the Interior Trustees listed on the masthead of put in, his string of successes as Department had instructed the this issue of The Alpine. an environmental advocate and National Park Service and the After serving three years in the litigator, and we all hope that he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to position of ALPS president, Karl can return to the board someday discontinue work on the long- Forsgaard has stepped down. if circumstances permit. Rick awaited plan to reintroduce grizzly Success and promotion at his McGuire has moved from the bears to the North Cascades, “real” job have put more pressure vice president position to that of things may have changed. and demands on Karl’s time. The president. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke need for more time at work has Additionally, Art Day, Don appears to have put some life unfortunately meant less time for Parks and Bill Beyers have left back into the plan. News reports ALPS, so Karl has retired from the ALPS board, but remain on have indicated that he wants work the board of trustees. But Karl is the board of the Alpine Lakes on the E.I.S. to continue. It is not still an active ALPS member, and Foundation. ALPS and ALF clear whether this is a permanent very much involved in efforts are two completely separate commitment, or if it is likely to to keep more water from being corporations, and it was decided be at the same scale as originally diverted out of the lakes of the that it is in the best interest of both proposed. Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the to draw a clearer line between the Grizzly bears were once Icicle Creek watershed to feed two. Don and Bill have been with abundant in the Cascades, but new development in and near ALPS since “before the beginning,” decades of commercial hunting Leavenworth. and, along with Art Day, intend followed by “sport” hunting have Karl has been very active to remain active as part of the essentially eliminated them. A over the years. Karl was the lead Alpine Lakes Foundation. All three few bears have been spotted over advocate in resisting expansion have accomplishments spanning the years, but there is no evidence of ATV and ORV routes on decades that could fill an entire of any real population. It may Okanogan-Wenatchee National issue, or more. ALPS wishes to be that occasional bears wander Forest lands, and blocking Forest thank Art, Don and Bill for all down from British Columbia to Service plans to open up many they have done, and all they will the Cascades, finding food but not huge new loops (combining roads continue to do as part of ALF. mates. and trails) for these motorized ALPS hopes that the reintroduction program will indeed go ahead, and will do what it can to promote it. The Cascades, north and central, deserve to have grizzly bears living among them again.
14 ALPINE Kachess SDEIS released for comment The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation The KDRPP proposes to install The 90-day comment period closes and the State Department of pumps to withdraw as much as on July 11. The SDEIS may be Ecology released a Supplemental 200,000 acre-feet of water from viewed at https://www.usbr.gov/ Draft Environmental Impact Lake Kachess from below the level pn/programs/eis/kdrpp/index.html Statement (SDEIS) for the of the current gravity spillway. and https://www.usbr.gov/pn/ Keechelus Reservoir to Kachess This would lower the lake level programs/eis/kkc/index.html Reservoir Conveyance (KKC) by about 80 feet below the current For further information and the Kachess Drought Relief low pool elevation. Under the regarding this SDEIS or to submit Pumping Plant (KDRPP). These proposed plan this water would comments, contact: projects are part of the Yakima be withdrawn in drought years to Basin Integrated Plan. provide junior water right holders. However, the SDEIS presents Ms Candace McKinley The KKC (also known as the Environmental Program Manager K-to-K Pipeline) proposes building no alternative for mandatory conservation in the Yakima River Bureau of Reclamation a four-mile tunnel to convey water Columbia-Cascades Area Office from Lake Keechelus to Lake basin to provide the 200,000 acre-feet of water estimated as 1917 March Road Kachess. Both of these lakes serve Yakima, WA 98901-2058 as reservoirs for downstream necessary for drought relief. irrigators. The watershed above Preliminary cost estimates for Phone: 509-575-5848, ext. 603 Lake Keechelus normally receives the six action alternatives range Fax: 509-454-5650 more precipitation than the storage from $282 million to $704 million Or via email to: [email protected] capacity of the lake, and the excess for construction and 100 years of water flows down the Yakima operations and maintenance. River early in the summer before ALPS submitted comments irrigators need it. The tunnel on the initial DEIS three years ALPS board member Thom would carry the surplus water ago (see Yakima Plan Update in from Lake Keechelus to Lake Alpine 2015 No. 1), and we plan to Peters at Lower Klonaqua Kachess, which can store more submit comments on the SDEIS. Lake dam. water than it receives. Karl Forsgaard
ALPINE 15 alps alpine lakes protection society PO Box 27646 Seattle, WA 98165
ALPS Officers & Trustees: Board Members: Thom Peters President: Rick McGuire Gus Bekker Charlie Raymond Secretary: Natalie Williams Kevin Geraghty Frank Swart Treasurer: Frank Swart Rick McGuire Natalie Williams
The newsletter of the Alpine Lakes Protection Society (ALPS). ALPS is dedicated to protection of the Alpine Lakes area in Washington’s Cascades. Editor: Rick McGuire Layout: Pat Hutson To join ALPS or renew membership, send $15 to: Natalie Williams 5627 – 47th Ave. SW Seattle, WA 98136
Karl Forsgaard For information, send email to: Balanced rock on Mt. Stuart. [email protected]
16 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER ALPINE