Good afternoon from all of us here at DERT! 

It’s autumn, now, and besides the onslaught of pumpkin spice, gorgeous foliage, and being able to get our favorite jackets out again, this means…. It’s almost time for the Department of Enterprise Services to announce THE FINAL DECISION in the Environmental Impact Statement process for the future management of Capitol Lake / Deschutes Estuary. This is the moment that has been on our minds since the very beginning of DERT… and here we are, almost! 

A quick catch-up on the background of this issue, and what the EIS decision will mean:

• In 1951, the thriving Deschutes Estuary was buried by a reflecting lake created by the construction of the 5th Avenue dam. 
•  Instead of a thriving estuary, downtown Olympia showcases a stagnant and degraded lake that is steadily filling with sediment, is closed to the public, suffers from algae blooms, and low levels of dissolved oxygen. 
• Capitol Lake—owned by the State of Washington– contributes approximately 50% of the nutrient pollution currently associated with low dissolved oxygen levels in Budd Bay and South Sound.  
• DERT advocates for the removal of Olympia’s 5th Avenue Dam and the full restoration of the Deschutes Estuary. DERT began organizing in 2009 and became a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2011. 
• In 2016, stakeholders, in collaboration with Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (Enterprise Services), identified common goals that should be satisfied by any long-term management alternative. In 2018, Enterprise Services was directed by the State Legislature to develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that evaluates alternatives for long-term management. 
• In 2019, DES launched a scoping period, the first step of the EIS process. During the scoping period, Enterprise Services and its consultants hosted public meetings, both in-person and online, and solicited comments from the public. Scoping concluded on Nov. 13, 2018. Over the 48-day scoping comment period, the project received more than 900 individual comments from 271 separate submissions, which were compiled into a report in February 2019. 
• The Draft EIS was issued for public comment on June 30, 2021. The extended, 62-day comment period concluded on Aug. 29, 2021. The Draft EIS provides an objective summary of long-term management alternatives, the impacts and benefits of the alternatives over a 30-year time horizon, short-term impacts during construction, and potential mitigation measures. 
• On March 16, 2022, The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) announced that they had selected a preliminary preferred alternative: the Estuary Alternative is expected to best achieve project goals and represents a more durable decision than the other alternatives evaluated.
• The final EIS will be released this fall by October 31, 2022. Funding will be sought in the 2023-2025 Biennial Budget that will be developed and adopted in the long legislative session in 2023.  



Read more about the EIS process here. 

Restoring the Deschutes estuary would result in a lasting symbol that could be held up as an example of what is possible when people come together to restore their wildland-urban interface, the place where nature and the human built environment meet. Washington’s Capital city can lead our region down a better path – one that recognizes that our community is stronger and healthier when we protect the ecosystems that support us. Since DERT’s founding in 2009, this is what we have been fighting for. alongside our funding and collaboration partners, and community members like you (thank you!).

In many ways, this is only the beginning– dam removal does not guarantee streamlined and effective estuary revitalization. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP, and, fingers crossed, we will know more about what’s next when the final EIS statement is released.

In the meantime, we are currently in talks with elected officials to develop the Deschutes Watershed Council; a broadly-based watershed group to develop and implement an action plan for following EIS recommendations. The Council will act collaboratively to implement recommendations arising from plans and studies to improve water resources, as well as identify and implement water management solutions on a regional scale that increase self-reliance, and reduce conflict to achieve social, environmental, and economic objectives.

So, for now, we are holding our breath, waiting for the decision for dam removal. When the EIS decision comes out, let’s celebrate together at our annual auction. See you there! 

-- Paige

Click here to read DERT’s full fall address and learn more about DERT’s behind the scene moves towards estuary restoration! 

Please consider donating to DERT today. You are part of the vision and hard work that guarantees the Deschutes River WILL meet Puget Sound without a barrier. Together, we will continue to advocate for the removal of the 5th Avenue Dam to restore our urban estuary.

DERT is still accepting donations for our annual auction! 

We'd like this to be a mutually beneficial interaction, where your generosity is rewarded through heightened brand recognition and increased sales for you, and more eyes on the DERT auction for us. 

If you have something of value you would like to share with us, please fill out this form and email it to dertauction@gmail.com. 

Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer* or simply chat with us to learn more about the estuary restoration project? Catch us at these upcoming events:

*Volunteers need to sign up for events through Volgistics. 

September 23, 2022

Olympia Farmers' Market 

10 AM - 3 PM

700 Capitol Way N Olympia 98501

September 24, 2022

Nisqually Watershed Festival

10 AM - 4 PM  

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge 

100 Brown Farm Rd NE Olympia 98516

September 25, 2022 

Kayak Patrol with Pacific Shellfish Institute* 

11 AM - 1 PM

Boston Harbor Marina 

312 73rd Ave NE, Olympia, WA 98506

*Rental slots are full but you may join if you own your own kayak

Sign up to volunteer here

October 22, 2022 

DERT annual auction celebration

2 PM - 6 PM

Squaxin Park Rose Garden Shelter

Booklets and brochures and info-- oh my! 

DERT has brand new resources in the works for your office or classroom.

Our new brochure is a great resource for introducing DERT and all the work we do, and our new pollution reporting materials are packed with resources for spotting and reporting pollution in your community.  

If you would like to schedule a time pick up these resources, please email Jae at

Harris-Townsend@deschutesestuary.org

Say YEStuary with these fantastic designs--

T-shirts are available for a $20 donation and hats (black or red) are available for a $15 donation. Sweatshirts are also available for $35. 

1. Donate here 
2. Email our Outreach Coordinator, Jae, with your size or hat color. They will verify your donation and arrange pick up. Email Jae at harris-townsend@deschutesestuary.org
3. March on down to pick up your merch!

Looking for an opportunity to meet new people and help the environment? 

Volunteer with DERT! 

Tabling and flyering opportunities available. 

Canvassing experience is welcome but not required. 

Do our emails get lost in your promotion tab? Here is a quick trick to make sure our newsletter goes directly into your primary inbox*. Simply click on the email in your promotions tab, and drag it up and over to your primary tab. Voila! From now on, every DERT email will go directly to your primary tab!

For more information CLICK HERE

*This tip is for those who use Gmail, but it may be applicable to other platforms.

As a community dedicated to protecting the Deschutes watershed and South Puget Sound, we must all keep an eye out for potential pollution incidents when we are out and about. This page contains a list of who to call to report a pollution source - click the organization name to be directed to their site.

DERT's South Sound Healthy Watershed Program operates thanks to our sponsoring foundations and donors like you. Did you know that donors are now able to set up automatic recurring monthly donations in any amount? Follow the link to the right to get set up. Thank you for working with us towards a free Deschutes!