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

Washington Governor Jay Inslee made a quick trip through Cathlamet on Sunday to get acquainted with Wahkiakum County's ferry.

The governor met county Commissioner Mike Backman, County Engineer Paul Lacy, and commission candidate Greg Prestegard at the Puget Island ferry landing. Speakers told him how the ferry system is funded, the history of ferry service, and how it is used as a detour route when SR 4 is closed.

Rick Nelson

Gov. Jay Inslee listens as County Engineer Paul Lacy explains how installation of a new tip of the ferry ramp connects with the ferry deck for even weight distribution. The top of the old ramp didn't match the slope of the deck and was subject to damage.

Lacy explained that the state covers 80 percent of the cost of operations up to $1 million through legislative appropriations. There are times when emergencies push expenses over that amount and the county has to come to the legislature for supplemental appropriations, he said.

"I learned a lot about ferry operations," Inslee said when asked what he had learned. "It's really important to the people of Wahkiakum County and to the whole state."

Commissioner Backman spoke to the governor about other issues, including salmon allocation on the Columbia and the difficult process to obtain dredge spoils for nourishment of eroding beaches.

Backman also urged the governor and his staff to visit every county once a year to listen to concerns. Inslee, who has visited all of Washington's 39 counties, replied that he has many time constraints on his schedule.

In a potentially good sign for future state funding for the ferry, Inslee had an aide photograph him next to one of the Oscar B.'s life rings.

"I'm a big fan of ferries," Inslee said.