Tours back on

The Bureau of Reclamation reported this week that it had received an exception to the federal government hiring freeze so it could fully staff its Grand Coulee Dam tours.

The Bureau had earlier stated that it might have to trim the number of days and hours that it provided tours due to the hiring freeze.

Public Affairs Officer Lynne Brougher said the job offerings will be posted this week and it was her intention to have the tours fully operable by Memorial Day weekend.

After the hiring process is complete, tour guides will have to be trained, Brougher stated.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, if all goes well, Brougher stated, the Visitor Center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Tours would be active on the hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The Laser Light show would also begin daily Memorial Day weekend. The old laser show would be featured until the all-new show is finished and ready and that is scheduled for sometime near mid-July.