Your PUD
News Release
Gorge kayaking test to begin in July
Chelan County PUD
News Release
5/26/2009
Expert kayakers are expected to be making their way down the treacherous Chelan River Gorge July 11-12 and July 25-26 as part of a three-year federally required test.
Chelan County PUD commissioners Tuesday heard from PUD staff that the federally mandated test is required as part of the Chelan dam’s recent operating license issued in November 2006 by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The PUD had requested additional liability protection, but FERC ordered the PUD to go ahead with the kayaking test before the Legislature could change the state law providing liability coverage for such public recreation activities.
Since 2006, the PUD has worked with legislators on an amendment to the state recreational-use statute, which protects property owners if someone is injured. PUD staff will continue to seek the change to state law.
American Whitewater, a national nonprofit that promotes whitewater boating, will be cooperating with the PUD in arranging the test runs. Boaters must register by Thursday before the scheduled whitewater releases. They are also required to sign a liability waiver, watch a video of kayakers who went through a previous test in 2000, and to scout the river in person.
The initial three miles of the Chelan River are categorized as Class II, or novice. The river then quickly changes to Class V+ (expert) for approximately three-tenths of a mile through the gorge before spilling into the lower reaches of the Chelan River and its confluence with the Columbia River. The gorge has tight drops into boulder-filled pools and churning whitewater with steep cliffs rising on both sides, limiting access for rescuers.
The PUD is working with Chelan County law enforcement to maintain public safety for the tests in July.
For more information about the whitewater boating test, visit http://www.chelanpud.org/whitewater-boating.html.
In other business, PUD commissioners:
- Heard from Bellingham developer Ted Macheikov, who hopes to build a public market on the old Pybus Steel property on the Wenatchee riverfront. The property sits next to PUD park land.
- Applauded an agreement between the PUD and the city of Entiat for improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The PUD will pay about $1.2 million for a portion of the treatment plant and pump station because the plant serves Entiat Park, built by the PUD as part o Rocky Reach license requirements.
- Authorized the payment of $1.8 million for the PUD’s 2009-10 property, liability and other insurance premiums. Costs are up about 13 percent but are 4 percent lower than budgeted.
- Canceled a board retreat for May 28 and rescheduled the public meeting to 9 a.m. on June 11 in the PUD boardroom.
- Set an executive session for 9 a.m. on June 1 to review the performance of a public employee.
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The next regular meeting of the PUD commission will begin with an executive session at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 1, in the boardroom at PUD headquarters, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave. Regular business will be conducted at 1 p.m.
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded, and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page at www.chelanpud.org.
Christy Shearer
Deputy Public Information Officer
Chelan County PUD
(509) 661-4258 office
(509) 421-4258 cell
(509) 661-8117 fax
christy.shearer@chelanpud.org