County prevails in tideland fee

Oregon state officials are backing off in their demands that Wahkiakum County pay a $750 fee to lease the submerged tidelands over which the ferry Wahkiakum travels.

Last fall, the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) informed Wahkiakum Public Works Director Pete Ringen that the fee was due and that the county needed to provide a survey of the route used by the ferry as it traveled through waters of the State of Oregon.

Ringen and Wahkiakum Commissioners objected to the fee and survey requirements. Earlier this year, commissioners sent a letter to the department agreeing to pay the fee but objecting strongly, saying that one government agency shouldn't be charging fees of another for conducting public business. Besides, they commented, people and business in Oregon benefit from the ferry, which is used when SR 4 in Washington and US 30 in Oregon may be blocked.

Their comments had results.

Last week, Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson telephoned the commissioners' office April 17 and, in a message left on the answering machine, said she agreed the fees shouldn't be charged and that state officials would look into the matter.

"This is principle; it isn't the money," she said. "It's two states working collaborately.

"My goal is to get you your $750 back and possibly an apology from an over zealous bureaucracy run amok in Oregon. I'm embarrassed we've done this to Wahkiakum County."

Ringen subsequently had email communication with Oregon officials who said the state would likely drop the demands because the ferry is a non-profit public service.

"Based on Wahkiakum County's lack of ownership interest and maintenance responsibility for the landing structures at Westport and the lack of a cable guidance system on the ferry, DSL has determined that Wahkiakum County is not the appropriate entity needing DSL proprietary authorization," DSL spokesperson Jim Grimes said. "The $ 750 application fee will be returned to Wahkiakum County.

"I apologize for any confusion or consternation this has caused. Determining the jurisdictional connection to the ferry operation was confusing. We always strive to get to the proper answer - sometimes it takes time to unravel the issues."

Ringen explained to Grimes that based on a long-standing oral agreement, Clatsop County maintains the landing in Westport, but Wahkiakum County and the State of Washington assume all other operational costs.

Wahkiakum officials were pleased with the news.

"Our voices were heard," Commissioner George Trott said Tuesday. "I'm really happy."