By Marta Murvosh

PORT ANGELES — Changes to the Elwha River dam removal project could ultimately leave Port Angeles with a permanent drinking water treatment plant that would meet the city’s needs for the next 20 years.

Olympic National Park officials say they believe the revised plan will save city residents money in the long run.

Development of a permanent water treatment plant is the latest step in the controversial plan to remove the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams.

Previously, the federal government said it would only provide the city with a temporary treatment facility.

The revision is expected to increase the total bill for dam removal by about $18 million, said Brian Winter, project manager for the park. The exact price will depend on the type of treatment facility approved.

Inflation has already caused project costs to skyrocket from the 2000 estimate of $142 million to $179 million, Winter said.

The public has until Oct. 11 to comment on the proposed modification to the water treatment plan and another revision that would leave the state rearing channel open to aid in salmon recovery.

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