Port, county continue to seek plan to maintain Grays Bay buoys

Officials from Port District 2 and Wahkiakum County met Tuesday to continue their efforts to find a way to maintain navigation buoys on Grays Bay.

Responding to citizen requests, the port purchased and installed the buoys in 2005. However, this year, port commissioners announced they wanted to end their sponsorship of the buoys because of a lack of funds to cover the expenses.

County commissioners asked that the boards meet and try to find a means of maintaining the buoys. They pointed out that the county had contributed several thousand dollars to the project.

On Tuesday, Port Manager Bob Robinson presented a cost analysis of the program, and he reported on conversations with a state Department of Fish and Wildlife official about that agency's potential participation in maintaining the buoys.

After discussion, port officials and a citizen volunteer agreed to inspect the buoys at the surface by boat, and officials said they would solicit volunteers who could do underwater inspections or handle other aspects of the program.

Robinson reported that the port district signed an aquatic lands lease through November 30, 2035, with the state Department of Natural Resources for siting the buoys.

The life expectancy of the buoys is 15-20 years; their solar powered batteries probably last five years, he said.

The lease requires the port to inspect the buoys on the surface three times a year and underwater every five years; written reports must be submitted after the inspections. Robinson acknowledged that the port hasn't done the reporting for a variety of reasons.

The port has insured the buoys for $7,000 and pays an annual premium of $17 for the insurance, Robinson said.

Robinson calculated that the annual operation cost would be $1,620. In the fifth year when a diver is needed, the cost doubles.

Robinson said Fish and Wildlife officials are just learning of the buoys.

Several local persons have suggested that because the agency has purchased the Oneida boat ramp on Deep River, it has a stake in maintaining the channel markings.

Robinson said he had spoken with a deputy director involved in the purchase of the property, but the man referred him to another staff member who would design and develop the site, and that person was on vacation. Robinson said he would pursue that contact.

"When they start development, we should be right in their faces," commented Lisa Marsyla, chair of the county commission.

"It would be to their advantage," said Grays River resident Alton George, who helped mark the channel and locate the buoys five years ago. "People going out on the river will get lost.

Port officials had hoped to use a grant from the newly formed county Marine Resources Committee, but Port Commissioner Kayrene Gilbertsen said that initiative had failed.

Although the local committee supported the grant award, state officials felt it was outside the scope of usual marine resource grant awards.

County Commissioner Blair Brady said he feels the port and county can find volunteers whose equipment and expertise can lower the costs.

"I assure you we can get a boat to take you out there," Brady said. "That would save you $960."

Robinson said he supported the participation of volunteers, but a port needs to be able to cover its costs.

"When a port develops a business plan, we have to be able to fund the program through revenue, and we can supplement with volunteers," he said.

Robinson added that the port "could probably swing the administrative costs" in the years when a dive inspection isn't required.

To move forward, Marsyla suggested the officials enlist volunteers to help with tasks. George volunteered to use his boat to check the buoys and the water depth around them.

Brady asked Robinson to provide detail about the requirements for an underwater inspection so that he could look for a volunteer diver.

The group agreed to meet again at 12 noon on May 7 to review their progress.