Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services is conducting an environmental review process for the Capitol Lake – Deschutes Estuary Long-Term Management Project. A draft Environmental Impact Statement is now live on the Capitol Lake Deschutes Estuary website, linked here: https://capitollakedeschutesestuaryeis.org/library#DEIS

The Department of Enterprise Services has created several opportunities for comment from our community, including a public hearing on July 27th at 6:30 PM. To learn how you can voice your concerns and comments, see the comments below in this post. Please note, the last day to submit comments is August 13th.

For more information on submitting comments, please see the following information from the Department of Enterprise Services.

SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS BY AUGUST 13, 2021

Enterprise Services is accepting comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Capitol Lake – Deschutes Estuary Long-Term Management Project until August 13, 2021. This Draft EIS evaluates long-term management alternatives for the waterbody (Managed Lake, Estuary, or Hybrid) in support of identifying and implementing an environmentally and economically sustainable long-term management alternative that improves water quality, manages sediment, improves ecological function, and restores community use.

Comments can be submitted through an online comment form, via email or mail, and at an online public hearing (July 27, 6:30-8:30 PM). If you would like to submit a verbal comment during the online public hearing please register today; registration is not required to observe the meeting.

All comments will be considered equally regardless of how they are submitted. Comments that are identical (e.g., form letters) or similar in nature will be treated as single comments. The EIS Project Team will review all comments received on the Draft EIS and evaluate whether additional technical analyses are required to ensure a complete evaluation and support informed decision-making on a preferred alternative for long-term management of Capitol Lake – Deschutes Estuary.  All comments will be documented in a comment response summary in the Final EIS.

ATTEND ADDITIONAL VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS

Join the EIS Project Team during two additional online office hour sessions. Drop into the Zoom meeting anytime during these hours to ask clarifying questions and learn more about the Draft EIS. There is no set agenda or presentation. Formal Draft EIS comments cannot be submitted during office hours – please visit the website to learn more about how to submit comments.

July 28, 2021 – 12-1 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 825 2560 0714
Passcode: 517954
Phone: 1-253-215-8782

August 5, 2021 – 10-11 AM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 876 5446 5021
Passcode: 692990
Phone: 1-253-215-8782

DRAFT EIS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS COMING SOON

Since the release of the Draft EIS on June 30, we’ve completed more than a dozen briefings with stakeholders, met with many of you during office hours, and received lots of great questions. We are compiling the most common questions and will add those to the website the week of July 26.

THANK YOU!

Thank you for investing your time in reviewing this Draft EIS and to many of you who have already provided comments. If you have questions, email us at info@capitollakedeschutesestuaryeis.org or call (360) 407-9323.

To request information in other languages please email info@capitollakedeschutesestuaryeis.org.

Para solicitar información en otros idiomas, envíe un correo electrónico a info@capitollakedeschutesestuaryeis.org.

Để yêu cầu thông tin bằng các ngôn ngữ khác, vui lòng gửi email đến info@capitollakedeschutesestuaryeis.org.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information

Materials can be provided in alternative formats—large print, Braille, cassette tape, or on computer disk—for people with disabilities by contacting (360) 407-8200 or accessibility@des.wa.gov. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) through the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1.

Title VI Information

It is the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services’ (Enterprise Services) policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its federally funded programs and activities. Any person who believes his/her Title VI protection has been violated may file a complaint with Enterprise Services. For more information, contact (360) 407-8200 or accessibility@des.wa.gov.

For more information please visit the Enterprise Services Accessibility web page.