A controversial fish rearing project on the White River above LakeWenatchee is set to get a final public hearing next week.

 

Grant County PUD is proposing the building of two acclimation ponds and four large rearing tanks, among other structures, to raise endangered Chinook salmon.

 

Critics are opposing the project on what they say is one of the last pristine waterways in the state.

 

Anne Hessburg admits that this project has received a lot of public input, but adds that it is also a very unique project for ChelanCounty.

 

If Chelan County Hearing Examiner, Andrew Kottkamp approves the permit, the PUD hopes to put a construction contract out to bid in March and begin building this spring. The new facility would then be operational in fall 2013.

 

Anne does want to point out that the hearing examiner will take the public comment into consideration before making his decision.

 

Again that meeting will be at 10 am on Wednesday, January 18th at the ChelanCounty Commissioners building in Wenatchee.