Town offers Port 1 lead role in development of surplus sewage lagoons

Cathlamet Town Council Member Dick Swart, standing in for Mayor Wehrfritz, who had a scheduling conflict, last Thursday presented commissioners of Port District 1 an opportunity to take the lead in the development of the lagoon, the current site of the city sewer ponds.

Swart spoke of the many years of work that has gone into relocating the town’s wastewater treatment facility away from the waterfront so that “this precious resource can be used for something more up to date and for the betterment of the community.”

The port commissioners thought it was an interesting proposal. They will take more time to consider and discuss what their vision might be and whether they would like to enter into a partnership with the town or handle this opportunity in another way.

“I have no problem discussing this and seeing where we’re at and who’s going to do what,” Commissioner Larry Bonds said. The others agreed.

“There are a lot of questions,” Commissioner Brett Deaton added.

What lies under the lagoons is a potential problem.

“We’ve had core samples. We have a better picture of what is under there. We have a little more limited range of options of what can be done,” Swart said. “So what is possible? An expanded marina perhaps?”

The placement of the sewer outfall is another issue. According to Swart, the Department of Ecology informed them that the sewer outfall must remain where it is.

Duncan Cruickshank., town public works director, informed the commissioners that the lagoons will be emptied of waste in the early part of next year. “Then,” he said, ”all that will go in there is rain water.”

Discussion turned to potential materials to fill the ponds, from sand to dredge spoils, all potentially troublesome.

Bonds spoke of his concern that the town might want the port to develop the area so the town could profit from it. Swart tried to reassure him.

“I would like to be able to work with the town,” Bonds said, “but I think it should be a partnership or one individual taking it over.”

“The town as landlord won’t work,” Deaton added. “I think it absolutely should be discussed. There’s potential there. And it’d be a shame to short the community.”

Fish and Wildlife were looking for a place to move their net pens for the months of May to September and had approached the port district to ascertain whether there would be space in the marina for them. The commissioners agreed that there was no ideal location for the net pens.

“They’ll find a spot for them,” Commissioner Gary Quigley said. “There’s really no place to put them here.”

In other business, the commissioners discussed upcoming changes to rates and fees at the marina and signed a resolution to allow Port 2 to run the County Line Park.