PORT ANGELES — Congressman Norm Dicks is expected to be on hand for the Friday dedications of water treatment plants instrumental to the planned demolition of Elwha River dams and a new building for First Step Family Support Center.
First Step will dedicate its new 4,174-square-foot building at 323 E. Sixth St. in Port Angeles, next door to the existing center, at 11 a.m.
A dedication ceremony recognizing completion of both the Port Angeles Water Treatment Plant and the Elwha Water Facilities will be at the treatment plant, which is next to the Regional Transfer Station at 3501 West 18th St., in Port Angeles at 2:30 p.m.
The $815,000 First Step expansion includes a preschool early learning center, conference center, child care facility and private counseling offices.
The new building will be named in honor of a community member with a long commitment to the healthy development of children and families, said Cherie Reeves, First Step Family Support Center Development manager.
The $27.6 million Port Angeles Water Treatment Plant is designed to provide up to 10.6 million gallons of treated water daily.
The $79 million Elwha Water Facilities include a water treatment plant that will protect Port Angeles’ industrial water supply, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s fish-rearing channel and the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe’s fish hatchery after silt from behind the two dams on the river is released.
Both treatment plants were completed by the National Park Service to prepare for the removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams, beginning in 2011.
Also expected at the water treatment plant dedication are Port Angeles Mayor Dan Di Guilio, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Chairwoman Frances Charles, National Park Service Pacific West Acting Regional Director Rory Westberg and Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin.
Guided tours
Guided tours of the Port Angeles Water Treatment Plant, which began providing water to Port Angeles residents in February, will be offered immediately following the ceremony until 4:15 p.m..
Guided tours of the Elwha Water Facilities will be given between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Dicks, D-Belfair, is a longtime supporter of the Elwha dam removal project. He represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula.
The National Park Service’s Elwha River Ecosystem Restoration project is the largest dam removal project so far in the nation.
Removing the dams will restore the river to its natural free-flowing state and provide habitat for five species of Pacific salmon and other anadromous fish.
