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

With dredging in mind, the Port District 1 commissioners passed a motion for Port Manager Jackie Lea to begin the bid process for obtaining core samples in the marina, slough and Cathlamet Channel last Thursday.

Sonar readings requested in June had finally arrived, held up by calibration problems in the equipment used by the surveyors.

Commissioner Bob Kizziar shared that he had spoken with a couple congressmen and a senator’s aide at meetings he had recently attended. He related his concerns about paying for the dredge to the politicians, hoping to enlist help in finding funding before it disappears.

After core samples are taken and analyzed, the lengthy permit process will begin.

Joshua Adams, whose boat Harmony is currently moored in the marina, would like to continue to dock the southeast Alaska salmon tender there each year during his off season, between September and early June.

“I’ve got a big investment that I don’t want to leave in Alaska,” Adams said.

With a waiting list and yachts coming in for the season, the commissioners asked for more time to consider his request.

Lea reported that they had begun to receive reservations for the fall fishery already. The office has also received 75 percent of the new moorage agreements, which now require proof of insurance.

Evidence of a grease fire on the stove in one of the marina cabins included the loss of a microwave. The renter left without notifying the marina office and was billed for the damage and replacement costs.

“It was lucky that the microwave was the only thing damaged,” Lea said.

Lea and Kizziar plan to attend the spring Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) conference in Vancouver in mid May.