The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Commissioners of Port District 2 on Tuesday reviewed plans for new services at Skamokawa Vista Park.

Commissioner Kayrene Gilbertsen reviewed potential projects the port will help coordinate with funding from the Wahkiakum Marine Resource Committee. As part of a region wide appropriation, the committee has received approximately $300,000 for projects that enhance or expand the commercial fishing industry.

The port district will administer the funds, and some projects may be on port property. One priority for commercial fishers is a facility with a hoist for moving salmon from boat to vehicles. This will reduce handling and reduce handling, which will help fishers sell higher quality fish.

Commissioner Lori Scott suggested the hoist could be coupled with facilities at a new boat ramp at Vista Park. The port administers a ramp on Skamokawa Creek, but shoaling is making the ramp less and less useful, and Scott suggested the new ram would be along the Columbia River shoreline.

Scott said a staff member Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST), a consulting firm, recommended the port pursue a boat ramp project, for there is grant funding available for such projects.

After discussion, port commissioners asked Scott to continue discussions with CREST and invite representatives to the next meeting for a detailed presentation.

Port Manager Janet Bryan reported the old port office/Skamokawa Library building had been razed and she has started gathering information so port commissioners could consider building a laundromat on the site.

Commissioners said they were interested in the project and wanted to reconnect the property to the Skamokawa Sewer and Water District system.

Bryan said she had checked the cost of machines, and estimates ranged from $38,000 to $59,000.

Commissioner went into executive session to consider cost of real estate. When they reconvened in open session, they authorize Bryan to negotiate an access easement for dredging crews.