Permit issued for ferry dredging

Rick Nelson

 

November 13, 2014

Rick Nelson

The ferry Wahkiakum prepares to pass a dredge working at the mouth of Westport Slough. Federal agencies have just approved permits needed to dredge in the landing basin in front of the Puget Island ferry dock in preparation for the 2015 arrival of the county's new ferry, the Oscar B.

With little time to spare, federal agencies have approved the permit necessary for dredging of the turning basin in front of the Puget Island ferry ramp.

The area must be enlarged to accommodate the county's new ferry, the Oscar B, which is scheduled to be ready for service in February, 2015.

Enviornmental rules prohibit dredging December through March, so the work, which is to be handled by the US Army Corps of Engineers and its dredging contractor, was facing a tight deadline.

Wahkiakum County Public Works Director Pete Ringen has been concerned recently that the permits wouldn't be ready in time. He and county commissioners spoke with the Corps supervisor for the project two weeks, ago, and she said she was waiting for other federal agencies to approve the permits so the Corps could issue the final permit.

Commissioners asked the region's US representatives and senators to do what they could to make sure the permits were issued in time, and Ringen went to the Seattle office of the Corps, which handles permitting on the Washington shore of the Columbia River.

"I made a trip to Seattle on Friday, and met with an individual from the Seattle District of the US Army Corps of Engineers," Ringen wrote in an email. "This was the final step to obtain permitting for the dredging of the berthing area of the ferry channel.

"I heard from Portland District of the US Army Corps this morning (Monday); they indicate they will be adding this option to their current side channel dredging contract for the dredging of various side channels on the lower Columbia River."

Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler and Senator Patty Murray welcomed the announcement that the county would receive the permit necessary to finish the berth and channel improvements.

In a November 10 joint press release, they said they had teamed up when the county asked for help in obtaining the U.S. Army Corps permit as quickly as possible. They said the ferry is a critical link for southwestern Washington residents; it makes 18 round trips each day, 365 days a year, and is one of the only alternate routes to U.S. Highway 30 and the Astoria bridge.

Clatsop County, Oregon, is modifying the Westport landing to accommodate the larger new ferry, the news release said, and the current ferry, the Wahkiakum wouldn't be able to dock there.

"This announcement comes without a moment to spare to keep the Columbia River ferry project on track," Herrera Beutler said. "Southwest Washington communities rely on this ferry both for daily transportation and in case of emergency blockages on other routes. Fortunately, Senator Murray and I were able to work with Wahkiakum County and the U.S. Army Corps to help navigate this critical deadline and keep the project moving forward. I'm hopeful that our cooperation will allow its timely completion, and look forward to the new ferry providing better service to Southwest Washington residents without delay."

"For families and businesses across Southwest Washington, it's absolutely critical that the Columbia River ferry project move forward on time," Murray said. "I'm pleased that Representative Herrera Beutler and I were able to help take the risk of a delay off the table, so that Southwest Washington residents can enjoy improved ferry service as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, the Wahkiakum was shut down Friday for engine trouble.

Ringen reported the port engine failed late in the day. On Saturday, public works personnel and mechanics from Cummins Northwest swapped in a spare engine. Later in the day, the US Coast Guard inspected and gave permission for the ferry to go back into service.

 

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