Richland hearing reviews permit for sodium permanganate storage and backup generator at intake

Hearing Examiner Gary McLean presided over a public hearing tonight on a shoreline substantial development permit filed by the City of Richland Public Works to construct a sodium permanganate storage and feed facility and a backup power generator at the municipal water intake near the east end of Snyder Street at the Columbia River.

Ryan Nelson, senior planner for the city, told the examiner the application is filed under Shoreline Substantial Development Permit file PLN T2-2026-00022 (PLN-t020480) and that the project site lies between the natural and recreation shoreline designations. He said the proposed use is permitted in those shoreline designations with an approved shoreline permit. Nelson also reported receiving two Ecology emails after publication of the staff report: one noting that the generator would fall under the jurisdiction of the Bend Clean Air Agency and another requesting more project details. He said staff had not changed the recommendation but would add the late Ecology emails to the exhibit list and include a condition directing the applicant to consult the Bend Clean Air Agency, and he agreed to provide the exhibit updates by the end of the week.

Sheldon Williamson, Capital Projects Manager for Public Works, described the project as two primary elements: "This project's to add basically 2 major components for domestic water system. The 1st major component is actually the generator." He said the generator would provide backup power for the intake, which supplies nearly all of the city's domestic water and part of West Richland's supply. Williamson said the second component is a permanent sodium permanganate building to treat raw river water and water sent to the North Richland well field to address recent algae concerns. "With the algae issue that's relatively new with only in the last 3 or 4 years, it was decided to add that with this project at the same time and then generally the same location," he said.

Williamson said the city has FEMA grant funding that would pay part of the generator work; the generator construction depends on a second phase of FEMA funding that the city plans to apply for in the next month. He estimated, contingent on funding, that the city could advertise bids this fall or winter with construction possibly starting next spring. He clarified that the generator portion is tied to FEMA funding while the building and other project items will be city funded.

McLean opened the public‑comment portion and asked whether any members of the public were present; staff reported no public commenters in the room or online. The examiner closed public comment, thanked staff and Public Works for their presentations, and said he will issue a written decision on the shoreline permit as soon as possible with instructions on appeals to the Shorelines Hearings Board.

The record includes staff's report and the two post‑report Ecology emails; Nelson said he would add those emails to the exhibit list and include a condition addressing Bend Clean Air Agency jurisdiction. No formal motions or votes were taken at the hearing; the examiner's decision remains pending.