Small Town News

Reclamation to require permits to sell on the corner

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The familiar sight of cars for sale on a Bureau of Reclamation-owned lot at the edge of Grand Coulee may become a thing of the past with a new policy announced by the bureau on Tuesday.

Whether individuals want to sell used cars or cherries, a $300 permit will be required, obtainable in Ephrata. Permits will be valid for 30 days.

Reclamation will require permits of individuals wanting to conduct private business transactions on federal land at the Grand Coulee Project, beginning Nov. 1.

Individuals attempting to sell vehicles, boats, produce or other private small operations ventures will need to obtain a permit before setting up sales ventures on the corner of Highway 155 and Federal Way.

"For many years people have been selling goods on this corner without a permit and we need to establish clear guidelines since this is on federally-owned land," said David Murillo, Grand Coulee Project manager. "Exclusive use of public lands for private monetary gain is prohibited by federal regulations, unless permission is given by the government."

Specifically, the new policy will put the agency in compliance with Code of Federal Regulations 429, noted Lynne Brougher, public information officer at the dam.

A sign stating that overnight parking is not allowed at the corner has been ignored for years. Local people selling cars and boats regularly use the corner like a private and very visible car lot.

And fruit and produce vendors regularly operate on the corner without a permit, with several articles of cardboard and wooden pallets left behind for proof.

"We had folks inquiring about whether Reclamation had given folks permission to do that," Brougher said.

Murrillo said several months ago that the bureau was working on a policy for the corner consistent with federal law.

The cost for the permit covers the application fee, administrative fees and the use of government land. Large companies that compete for concession operations under an open bidding process will not be able to take advantage of this permitting process.

By next spring, the vending area will be clearly defined, by landscaping which will include the addition of posts and gates to allow entry for people with permits. A short-term parking area will also be designed to ensure roadway safety for those entering or exiting the area, a bureau press release said.

Brougher said landscaping will be quite limited. Don't look for a picnic area.

For more information about this permitting process, contact Reclamation's Ephrata Field Office at (509) 754-0221.



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© 2010 The Star Grand Coulee, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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