COWLITZ COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2002, 2:30 p.m.

Contacts: Dave Andrew, Cowlitz PUD (360) 225-4413

Sandy Howard, Department of Ecology (360) 407-6239; pager 360-786-3136

Media Alert

UNIFIED COMMAND SYSTEM IN PLACE TO ASSESS SWIFT NO. 2 POWER CANAL BREACH ON UPPER LEWIS RIVER

A unified command system team is in place to assess and respond to damage and environmental concerns caused by Sunday’s breach of the Cowlitz County Public Utility District’s (PUD) Swift No. 2 Power Canal on the Lewis River. In addition, the team is assessing and responding to damage to the Powerhouse and Switchyard.

The unified command system, consisting of Cowlitz PUD, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Washington Department of Ecology, has been initialized to work to prevent further damage and continue with repairs and cleanup that began on Sunday.

“The situation is stable at this time with no public health threats,” according to Denny Robinson, general manager of Cowlitz PUD.

Representatives in the group include members of various local, state and federal agencies, and utility representatives. Members of the unified command have developed and initiated a cooperative work plan.

The Swift power canal is on the Lewis River in Southwest Washington, located along Highway 503-Spur about three miles east of Cougar.

Environmental assessment of the oil spill area began Sunday morning. The Department of Ecology is overseeing the assessment of the oil spilled as a result of the breach below the Swift No. 2 Powerhouse, in Yale Reservoir. The leading edge of oil has been contained with 2,300 feet of containment boom. All other necessary cleanup resources have been deployed to the staging area. At-risk environmental resources are being assessed, including shoreline and wildlife affects, if any, in the area.

Work crews will be focusing on determining the amount of oil remaining in the sources of primary concern - two transformers located at the powerhouse. Both transformers are designated as non-Poly Chlorinated Bi-Phenyl (non-PCB).

State Route 503-Spur remains closed in the area at this time, with no public access available east of Cougar in Cowlitz County. The Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun work to reopen the highway.

Day use and boat access to Yale and Swift reservoirs are closed until further notice. Day use and boat access at Speelyai Bay are available at Lake Merwin.

Cowlitz County Public Utility District owns the Swift No. 2 Powerhouse, Switching Yard and Canal and Pacific Power operates the facility. Pacific Power owns and operates the Swift No. 1, Yale and Merwin hydroelectric facilities on the Lewis River system.

The breach took place about 7 a.m. on Sunday, April 21 resulting in about a 250-foot section of the canal wall collapsing. The canal has been in place since the late 1950s and no major problems have occurred during its history.

The resulting flow of debris and water seriously damaged the PUD’s powerhouse. No determination has been made on the cost or plans for repair. There were no power outages to electric customers as a result of the event.

Cowlitz PUD serves 44,500 electric customers in Cowlitz County in Southwest Washington. Its headquarters are in Longview.