PORT ANGELES – The City of Port Angeles will soon file a lawsuit against the federal government to try to avoid inheriting water treatment plants from the National Park Service that they deem ineffective, but negotiations with the Feds will continue Thursday.

In Tuesday’s executive session, it was decided that because the statute of limitations would soon be running out on claims filed two years ago, the City would file a new lawsuit to avoid that happening while negotiations continue. A draft of that lawsuit will be submitted to the City Council for approval in the near future.

At issue are water treatment systems along the Elwha River, built to protect city water supplies following the removal of the two dams, built by the government but scheduled to be handed over to Port Angeles to operate and maintain. The city contends the facilities are not adequate and will cost far more to operate than was expected.

The park service disagrees and says the city is obligated to take over the systems as was prescribed in the legislation that removed the dams.