Land Management Plans FAQ

In general, land management plans (LMPs) acknowledge where important and/or protected natural and cultural resources exist, denote where facilities and uses occur, and identify the process for considering new facilities and uses. Specific to hydroelectric projects, LMPs apply to land within project boundaries, which are lands a licensee and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) have identified as necessary to protect natural/cultural resources, provide public access and operate the project. LMPs for the Rocky Reach and Rock Island hydro projects will ensure Chelan PUD manages lands within the project boundaries to meet FERC license requirements and project operational needs. The LMPs will help the public understand the application/review process for new facilities and uses and explain what Chelan PUD must consider in order to meet its FERC license and operational requirements . The intent of the plans is to provide the best balance for public and private access while protecting the river’s natural resources.

Chelan PUD is responsible for reviewing uses of project lands and waters, in cooperation with local, federal and state agencies, to assure compatibility with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license terms and conditions and other relevant regulations. Chelan PUD’s role in the permitting process is to ensure consistency with project purposes (e.g. dam operations and implementation of various natural resource and cultural plans required by the FERC License), including safety, environmental concerns and aesthetics. Chelan PUD also encourages consistency with local and county management plans and zoning. Chelan PUD administers a Shoreline Development Tracking System as a means of ensuring that structures built within project lands and waters have minimal environmental or visual effects.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) did not require land management plans (LMPs) development as part of the Rocky Reach or Rock Island project licenses. Chelan PUD is developing the LMPs voluntarily to provide consistent, coordinated and long-term management and stewardship of the Rocky Reach and Rock Island reservoirs and to provide more comprehensive and clear guidance to the public when they want to use shoreline lands. As part of the relicensing process for the Rocky Reach Project, Chelan PUD submitted a Land Management Study report to the FERC on May 30, 2003. The new land management plans use that information, and Chelan PUD has updated and expanded that information to include current land use review processes and practices. FERC may choose to use the LMPs during review of certain land use applications that require FERC approval and/or to ensure Chelan PUD has sufficient shoreline and land use management processes in place to assure consistency with license requirements.

The land management plans (LMPs) can be used by the public, by permitting agencies, by other regulatory agencies, by Chelan PUD and by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as a guide to evaluating land use activities within the boundaries of the Rocky Reach and Rock Island hydro projects and to explain Chelan PUD’s review process for all land use applications.

The land management plans (LMPs) can be used by the public, by permitting agencies, by other regulatory agencies, by Chelan PUD and by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as a guide to evaluating land use activities within the boundaries of the Rocky Reach and Rock Island hydro projects and to explain Chelan PUD’s review process for all land use applications.

Regular communication, public meetings and a website will provide opportunities for the public and agencies to comment on the plans as they are developed. All information will be provided on Chelan PUD’s website and by mail, as requested.

Chelan PUD will review and, if necessary, update the land management plans (LMPs) every five years. Should local, state or federal regulations change, the LMPs will be updated (for example, new endangered species or new critical habitat that warrants protection). Changes in the LMPs will be highlighted on Chelan PUD’s website and through other means such as newspaper notices and direct mailings to a stakeholder list.

The land management plans (LMPs) proactively consider public recreation needs and access to the river, resource conservation and protection, and the interests of property owners adjacent to the shoreline. They will not change the recreational opportunities now provided by Chelan PUD on either the Rocky Reach or Rock Island reservoirs.

The project boundary is an administrative marker to clearly delineate those lands necessary for operations and maintenance of the hydroelectric project and for other project purposes such as recreation, shoreline control or protection of environmental resources. The project boundary depends on the topography of the land and includes some upland property such as campgrounds, parks, hatcheries and wildlife lands.

No. For additional information on a specific shoreline area, contact the Real Estate Department at Chelan County PUD (509) 661-4240 or refer to the interactive map in the Land Management Plan.

Chelan PUD is ultimately responsible for managing project shorelines consistent with project purposes and license obligations. The land management plans (LMPs) identify land use classifications along the Rocky Reach and Rock Island shorelines that reflect Chelan PUD’s resource and operational obligations under its licenses for both the Rocky Reach and Rock Island hydroelectric projects. The classifications are specific to the lands within Chelan PUD’s project boundaries. The classifications are independent of any adjacent state or county land use designations or zoning; however, they are generally consistent with these. Chelan PUD uses this land use classification system to evaluate land use requests within the project boundaries. The system acknowledges where sensitive natural resources exist and where project facilities and uses occur. The system alerts Chelan PUD staff and the public to considerations and potential resource protection that might be needed if permits for construction activities are to be issued.

The shoreline classifications provide the public with important information that can be used in making development, purchase and/or construction decisions on shoreline lands. Chelan PUD’s three land use classifications that have been assigned to lands within the project boundary are explained below:

• Project operations: Denote areas within the project boundary occupied by project works such as dams, powerhouses and other structures, as well as any areas necessary to meet any requirements of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license such as recreational and fish production facilities. Land use requests within these areas are generally prohibited.
• Resource management: Denotes areas within the project boundary with specific resource management, species protection and environmental or cultural purposes. Typically these areas require extensive environmental review, permitting and mitigation and activities may be prohibited.
• Integrated use: Denotes areas within the project boundary where shorelines have no known significant environmental or cultural resources or associated resource management goals that would preclude existing or future shoreline uses.

For more detailed information refer to Section 3.0 of the Rock Island and Rocky Reach Land Management Plan.

Maps showing the shoreline classification areas along the Rocky Reach and Rock Island reservoirs are part of the land management plans (LMPs). During plan development, the draft LMP, along with maps depicting the classified areas, will be available on the Chelan PUD’s website for public review. Once completed, the final plan and associated maps will be permanently located on Chelan PUD’s website.

JARPA stands for Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application. The JARPA consolidates federal, state and local permit forms into one convenient application. The process begins when a property owner or project proponent completes the JARPA, which includes describing the proposed project, its potential effects on regulated resources (e.g. wetlands, waterways, shorelines) and proposed construction methods. The JARPA is then submitted to local jurisdictional offices. The county then distributes the JARPA to the following agencies for review under specific regulations:

• Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
• Water Quality Certifications from the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE)
• Aquatic Resources Use Authorizations from the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
• Shoreline Management Act permits from participating city or county agencies
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)

Chelan PUD is part of the Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA) process. The respective county distributes the JARPA to Chelan PUD when construction or uses within the Rocky Reach or Rock Island project boundaries are proposed. Chelan PUD then reviews the proposed action within the project boundaries for consistency with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license requirements and resource management plans and provides input to the county. In some instances, Chelan PUD will consult with other permitting agencies. Depending on the nature, size and location of the proposed project, Chelan PUD may also be required to seek FERC approval of the proposed activity.

After all JARPA reviews are completed and permits received, including FERC approval if required, Chelan PUD will issue a “license/permit to occupy” project lands.

Contacting either Chelan County or Douglas County is a good place to start. The links below should also be helpful resources.

Washington State Office of Regulatory Assistance www.ora.wa.gov/resources/permitting.asp

US Army Corps of Engineers Permit Guidebook www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Regulatory/PermitGuidebook.aspx

Chelan County Current Planning
https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/community-development/pages/current-planning?parent=Divisions

Douglas County Information Brochures/Checklists https://www.douglas.co.us/land/building/apply-for-permits/

Yes. Contact either Chelan County or Douglas County, who will initiate the Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA) process. The JARPA consolidates application forms for federal, state and local permits.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has design criteria, based on guidance from the federal agencies who implement the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The following links should also be helpful:

Chelan County Dock Standards:
http://www.co.chelan.wa.us/files/community-development/documents/shoreline_master_program/Dock-Standards.pdf

Douglas County Regional Shoreline Master Program – includes design standards for docks/marinas in Chapter 5, Sections 3 and 10:
https://www.douglascountywa.net/DocumentCenter/View/2827/Douglas-County_SMP_Final-DOE-Approval-01-28-2022

This is a permitting question to discuss with either Chelan County or Douglas County. If the dock was installed on Chelan PUD-owned land, generally, Chelan PUD would issue a land-use permit (or license) as long as all other agency permits are in order.

Chelan PUD’s land management plan (LMP) development and implementation will not change currently approved structures or uses.

In partnership with Chelan County and Douglas County, Chelan PUD does monitor the shoreline along both Rocky Reach and Rock Island reservoirs approximately 20 times per year. If a violation is observed, it is reported to the appropriate county office and/or agency.

No. Chelan PUD’s rights are limited to those rights granted in the flowage easement associated with the Project Boundary.