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Methow Valley News July 8, 1999 Endangered Species Coverage "BOs" are delayed for federal diversions Sun Mountain to stay open by Lee Hicks Ranchers and Sun Mountain Lodge are discussing how to pace irrigation drawdowns from Patterson Lake as they continue to await authority from federal agencies to open headgates of the Wolf Creek diversion. But the National Marine Fisheries Service has delayed issuing "biological opinions" related to endangered fish species in the Wolf Creek area, according to a Forest Service advisory. By e-mail dated July 2, Methow District Ranger Laurie Thorpe said her office has now been promised that "draft BOs" would be "in our hands July 7." Thorpe said a NMFS official told her that the drafts went to NMFS legal advisors July 1, the date they had been expected to be released to the Forest Service. Meanwhile Thorpe said she has told Wolf Creek Reclamation District president Nim Titcomb that the ditch can operate with a temporary screen under the current standard of 3/32-inch mesh. Forest Service biologist Jennifer Molesworth said Tuesday that the solution would entail a "flat screen" that would divert fish into an existing bypass channel at the headgates down to Wolf Creek. The screen would enable the ditch to operate without having the biological opinions from NFMS. Molesworth said the temporary solution would require frequent cleaning of the screen, perhaps several times a day, but added, "We think we can do it." "It’s an option we’re exploring and we’re looking into the technical feasibliity right now." Titcomb could not be reached by phone Tuesday morning. With the revised schedule, Thorpe said, "The FS and permittees then get to review the BOs and give feedback to NMFS. If there are not major concerns and the FS and permittees turn them around quickly NMFS could have the finals to us by July 15." Sun Mountain Lodge managers say the facility, with 114 rooms and more than 200 employees, will remain open even if diversion headgates remain closed all season. Sun Mountain uses water from Patterson Lake for its primary water supply. Water is filtered and pumped to tanks that feed the lodge operation, but the system can shut down if the lake level drops too low. Titcomb has said the district plans to accommodate Sun Mountain’s operation during a shortage. The lodge is the Methow Valley’s largest employer with a payroll of more than $2.5 million. Last Thursday (July 1) Titcomb was expecting to hear from the Forest Service that the biological opinions had been released by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The BOs, as they’re known, would set conditions for the Forest Service to issue permits for diverting water from Wolf Creek and other diversions. The stream has been swollen this year with a decades-high runoff from heavy winter snows and spring rains in the high country. Wolf Creek, the Skyline Ditch up the Chewuch River and other irrigators were also waiting for the long-promised BOs from NMFS. NMFS delayed the BOs this spring, resulting in the Forest Service holding back permits for irrigators whose diversions cross national forest land. Titcomb said last week that the Wolf Creek irrigators are continuing to use Patterson Lake water, and could safely do so without risking Sun Mountain’s operation through July at the present pace of withdrawal. Then Sun Mountain and other irrigators would need to reach an agreement on priorities. As of June 30, Patterson had been dropping about a foot per week, according to Titcomb. The irrigation district has been working on a fish trap and haul operation that could allow the diversion to operate until late August. Titcomb said last week that it could take up to 10 days to build the temporary trap. At the end of August, the headgates would have to be closed to accommodate spawning bull trout. The district is working with state Department of Fish and Wildlife to build a permanent fish screen and bypass just below the ditch headgates after the closures. Meanwhile, Skyline ditch is hoping to open at a reduced flow of 9.6 cubic feet per second with improvements that would include lining a portion with plastic to extend the flow. The ditch is considered in the worst shape of various local ditches that NMFS and Forest Service biologists determined "adversely effect" fish. Sun Mountain board chairman John Barline said he believes, "There is going to be enough water in September for Sun Mountain," adding that, "we plan to be open all year..." without a shutdown. However, the water uncertainty means the lodge will continue to delay new construction, including a spa building with indoor pool, that is budgeted at $6 million, Barline said. By comparison with all Wolf Creek users, Barline estimated that Sun Mountain takes down the level of Patterson Lake about "two to four inches" per year. Use by the ranches, including the Sunny M owned by the Haub family which also owns Sun Mountain, accounts for as much as two inches per day, Barline said. However, Sun Mountain would have a significant problem if the lake level dropped below the outflow on Patterson Lake Road. Starting with a low lake in spring if there is a poor snow season would mean an uphill quest to recharge the lake--and could result in a potentially hazardous situation if the following year brings a major fire season, as in 1994. Then, helicopters scooped water from Patterson Lake to fight fires around the Valley. Opinion | Sports |
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