Wells Project wildlife viewing trails, kiosks coming to Pateros, Brewster, Bridgeport

PATEROS – Memorial Park in Pateros, Columbia Cove Park in Brewster, and Conklin Landing Park in Bridgeport are among four locations where wildlife viewing kiosks will be placed as part of a Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) license requirement for the Wells Hydroelectric Project (Wells Dam) as part of the latter’s Wells Project Recreation Management Plan (RMP). The RMP specifies that Douglas PUD must install wildlife viewing enhancement measures within the Wells Project boundary that includes those three cities. The utility installed interpretative exhibits and a trail at the Wells Overlook Interpretative Center in 2017.
To accomplish this installation Douglas PUID has consulted area wildlife managers regarding measures that will most effectively meet those ends. Based on the feedback received the utility devised a proposal for wildlife viewing and viewing trails to include:
⁕ Wildlife viewing trails at Bridgeport Bar Wildlife Management Area and Cassimer Bar Wildlife Management Area.
A loop trail at Cassimer Bar will utilize existing roads, trails, and trailheads and marked with color-coded carsonite posts as well as benches at several locations,
A loop trail at Bridgeport Bar will also utilize existing roads and parking areas. A four-foot-wide gravel primary trail surface would also feature color-coded carsonite posts. A single-track dirt trail will provide shoreline access. Benches will be installed at several locations.
⁕ Wildlife viewing kiosks at the designated parks in Pateros, Brewster, and Bridgeport.
A portion of the proposed wildlife viewing content will include osprey, harlequin duck, American white pelican, piscivorous birds, tule rush, blackbird, wren, rails, northern sagebrush lizard, bald eagle nests, fish-eating raptors, Indian hemp, Native American traditional use plants, and Wells Project waterfowl, and more.
Douglas PUD expects to begin installation work this fall.