The Port of Port Townsend will be getting a little help from Olympia on a couple of projects that would have caused some serious pains for the public authority if they’d been left unfunded.
The Port of Port Townsend will receive $1 million for its Point Hudson breakwater replacement project and an additional $2 million for an effort to beef up its stormwater filtration infrastructure at boat haven.
Eron Berg, executive director for the port, noted that last one would have had serious consequences for the port, had the project gone unfunded.
“The yard stormwater, in particular, was something that came up late in the game; it was really a result of the shifting permit requirements that we’re going to see later this summer,” Berg said. “Having those dollars available to help us meet those requirements — I don’t know how else to describe it — it’s a full-spinnaker pulling us forward through what sure appeared to be troubled waters for an exceedingly vital component of the working waterfront: our boatyard.”
Berg said the port will still likely need to pony up some cash to bridge the funding gap as it works to upgrade its stormwater facilities in the yard.
“What we took to the Legislature was a $2.6 million project and they were able to fund $2.05 million,” he said.
“It’s an unanticipated expense certainly for our 2021 budget. [But] I believe we’ll be able to fund that. My recommendation to the commission will be that they utilize [Industrial Development District] levy proceeds to support the stormwater upgrades for the boatyard.”
As for Point Hudson, Berg said the funds for breakwater replacement will come in handy once the port has navigated the shoals of permitting for the project.
He hopes to see the project begin during the 2022-2023 fish window between mid-September and February.
Berg added that the port does not currently see any clear path forward to starting the Point Hudson breakwater project this year.
He also noted the port’s receipt of about $530,000 to help restoration efforts for its Gardiner boat launch, as well.
Overall, Berg said he was feeling a lot of support from the port’s legislative representatives in Olympia.
“We have just a whole lot of appreciation for the 24th Legislative District legislators. They really pulled out all the stops for their district, and we appreciate it.”
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May 11, 2021 at 04:45AM
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