Even if some residents may not be concerned about Fanno Creek water quality, biological diversity and breeding grounds for cutthroat trout, they may be concerned about the worst-case effects of unchecked erosion. The city's stewardship program is in its fifth year, said Lynn Vanderkamp, coordinator. All we're trying to do is teach Bridlemile neighbors to do a better job. It's a scenario many conservationists would like to see repeated throughout the Northwest as part of their push to restore dwindling salmon runs. But for lakeside cabin owners, boaters and anglers, taking out Condit Dam would destroy something that has been part of the landscape for 86 years.
Swallows flit across the calm water.
Springs on cliffs along the lake's east side create shimmering waterfalls. Conservation group leaders and PacifiCorp officials declined to discuss negotiations about Condit Dam. The draft study will include the corps' preferred alternative for aiding salmon survival, said Dutch Meier, spokesman for the corps' regional Walla Walla office. A three-month public review and comment period will follow the draft study's anticipated release in December. The corps also expects to hold workshops and public hearings during that period, with the final report expected to be presented sometime next year to Congress, which would have to approve any breaching of dams.