Port 2 votes to maintain Grays Bay buoys

Commissioners of Port District No. 2 decided Tuesday they would continue their sponsorship of navigation buoys in Grays Bay.

Commissioners had voted earlier this year to end sponsorship of the buoys and cancel an aquatic lands lease with the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

The lease required inspections and maintenance work that could cost as much as $7,000, as well as reporting to the agency.

However, citizens from the county's Westend and also the county board of commissioners responded that they wanted to see the port continue with the buoys. Port 2 met with county commissioners and all agreed to look for volunteers for some of the inspections and also to contact state Department of Fish and Wildlife officials for possible partnering on the project.

Those efforts, said Commissioner Kayrene Gilbertsen, are fading away. There is concern over using volunteers for the work, she said, and as port Manager Bob Robinson said, Fish and Wildlife officials aren't interested.

Robinson, however, suggested the commission consider maintaining the project. It would probably cost as much to terminate the project as it would to do the work to maintain the buoys for the next five years, he said.

Commissioner Brian O'Connor agreed that it wouldn't be worth the expense to get rid of the buoys because of the adverse public comment they'd receive.

After more discussion, Carlton Appelo moved to inspect and maintain the buoys; Gilbertsen seconded, and the motion passed.

In other business at the Tuesday port commission meeting,

--Robinson reported the port staff have received requests from community organizations to store material in the port's garage, which is being cleaned out.

He suggested that while the port could honor traditional requests, it should develop a policy so that staff aren't making arbitrary decisions.

--Robinson suggested the commission work with a consultant to update its comprehensive plan.

He said the plan should help the port identify projects that would generate funds that benefit the port.