Wilson Creek Bridge repair next week

Wahkiakum County commissioners addressed a variety of issues at their meeting Tuesday ranging from bridge work to legislative lobbying.

A bridge maintenance crew from the Washington Department of Transportation will start work next week to repair the East Valley Road bridge over Wilson Creek.

The bridge has been limited to one-lane traffic since inspectors discovered early this winter that the road deck is disintegrating.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen sought assistance from WSDOT because, he said, their repair crews have expertise and equipment that the county road crew doesn't have. On Tuesday, commissioners authorized Ringen to sign a contract for the work.

"They will utilize special high strength concrete that will set at low temperatures and is suitable for bridge deck repair," he said. "A couple members of the Wahkiakum County crew will observe and learn their techniques."

Ringen expects the work to last two days.

"I think we can do it with the single lane or minimal delays," he said.

In other business Tuesday:

--Extension Agent Carrie Kennedy reported the work plan for the county's new Marine Resources Committee.

Projects for the first half of 2011 include

1. $270 for supporting boating safety classes and life jacket supplies for public use at the Elochoman Slough Marina. Sponsors are the marina and Coast Guard Auxiliary.

2. $1,451 for Naselle/Grays River Valley School District classes to grow native plants for propagation along area streams. Classes will also study hatchery processes at the Grays River Hatchery.

3. $3,682 for Wahkiakum High School classes and commercial fishermen to develop an educational program on commercial fishing and its impact on the region's economy.

4. $7,039 for a study of invasive weeds along the river. WHS students will work with weed control and resource agencies and local kayak guides to tour the river banks and catalogue invasive species.

5. $4,568 to assist Port District 2 in maintaining navigation buoys in Grays Bay. The award is pending as Port 2 officials confirm their plans.

--Commission Chair Lisa Marsyla said she would meet this week with District 19 legislators to discuss the county's desire for change in state law to allow counties more control over the application of biosolids.

Grays River resident Al George suggested Marsyla, who voted against an ordinance proposed to control biosolids applications, wasn't the right person to lobby.

Marsyla replied that she felt this was the way for the county to win; otherwise the state Department of Ecology has legal authority. Commissioners Blair Brady and Dan Cothren said they felt comfortable with Marsyla lobbying on the issue.