County: Good move

In the first place, this controversy has dragged on too long -- since 1999, when PacifiCorp first revealed it had signed a multi-party "settlement agreement" to remove the dam. PacifiCorp decided to remove the structure because federal requirements for fish passage would cost so much that the hydro-electric facility would become a financial drain on the company.

Condit Dam was constructed in 1913 -- almost a century ago -- and that means that even in a best case scenario, the facility is very close to the end of its lifespan. Better to have it taken out carefully now rather than see it possibly fail during a storm, with people's lives placed at risk.

The bottom line is, the deal the county forged with PacifiCorp appears to cover all the bases. It ensures that PacifiCorp will pay to make sure there will be no contaminated sludge left behind; that the city of White Salmon's Buck Creek water line will be protected; that Northwestern Lake Bridge will be secured; and that Northwestern Lake Park will remain open. The county even snagged the existing water rights PacifiCorp held at the dam. Those water rights could potentially be traded for new water rights for White Salmon, for example, so that was a very forward-thinking move on the part of the County Commissioners.

PacifiCorp even agreed to make a cash payment of $675,000 to the county -- money that the county can use as it sees fit. We are hopeful that a good portion of that $675,000 will be routed into the Economic Development Authority account, providing communities around the county with a larger pot to draw from for economic development/community enhancement projects.

This was a positive agreement on many levels.

With this deal, the utility that owns the dam will benefit, the county benefits, salmon and steelhead populations will get a boost, and those who enjoy the sport of fly fishing could soon have some new fishing holes to patrol. It's also highly likely that river rafting companies -- an increasingly important part of the local tourism economy -- will eventually see an economic boost as well.

We'll all miss Northwestern Lake, and there is no easy way around that. But in exchange, at least, there will be a healthier, free-flowing White Salmon River.

Beyond that, PacifiCorp is a business, and it always seemed incongruent that the counties were blocking a private company from taking an action its officers believed was in the best financial interests of the company.

In the end, playing hardball to protect the county from any negative impacts caused by dam removal was smart and completely appropriate. Once that was accomplished, stepping aside and letting PacifiCorp move forward with its plans to decommission the aging dam was also the right move to make.

Good job, commissioners.

JB