Kennewick council OKs pursuing return of Columbia River shore to local control

Kennewick will continue to pursue control of portions of Columbia Park from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers while simultaneously pushing for Congress to return the entire Columbia River shoreline within the Tri-Cities to local governments.

City councilmembers unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night urging city staff to continue working with the Corps to return 60 acres at the east end of the park to the city, potentially so light development could occur.

But several councilmembers expressed enthusiasm regarding the grander vision of the entire length of the river running alongside the city and neighboring Pasco and Richland being back under local control.

“I’m glad something is finally happening,” said councilmember Bob Parks, noting he has advocated for conveyance of Corps-held land back to the cities for years.

The Corps has held Columbia Park and other portions of the Columbia River shoreline since the late 1940s, as it sought to build dams and levees for flood control after devastating floods. River levels have been stable for about 20 years.

The city, which pays the full $500,000 annual cost to maintain the park, wants control of land where auto sales are held a few times a year, as well as areas around the fishing pond and close to Highway 240.

Light commercial development, such as a restaurant, could help shoulder the cost to maintain the park, city officials have said.

The Corps still must conduct environmental and archaeological reviews of the property, for which the city must pay. The city also would have to pay the appraised value of the land. The transfer process, if completed, is expected to take years.

Former Kennewick Mayor Brad Fisher and Gary Petersen with the Tri-City Development Council recently asked the council to support full conveyance of Corps-held land along the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities to the city governments so that it can be under local control.

Fisher said the shoreline is largely undeveloped because of Corps restrictions, stunting the community’s growth.

There are hurdles to conveyance, particularly in seeking congressional approval. Councilmember Greg Jones said time is of the essence and that ideally any federal legislation would absolve the cities of having to pay the Corps for the land, noting the Corps didn’t pay anything for it when it was seized.

Parks said the time is right to move forward, though, as the Pasco and Richland governments have indicated they are receptive to the idea. Others didn’t see the other cities’ participation as being necessary.

“Whether or not the other two cities get on board with this, it is imperative,” said Mayor Steve Young.

This story was originally published July 7, 2015 at 10:48 PM with the headline "Kennewick council OKs pursuing return of Columbia River shore to local control."