Port 1 seeking plan for sewage pond

Bob Kizziar was sworn into office last Thursday as Brett Deaton finished up his last bit of business as president and ended his six year tenure with the Port District 1 board of commissioners.

“I’m ready to move into civilian life,” the ever mirthful Deaton joked.

Duncan Cruickshank, the Public Works Superintendent for the Town of Cathlamet, presented a recent geological survey to the commissioners as an aid to further discussions about developing the now inactive sewer pond site.

“The town is very interested in the development of the lagoons and wants to partner with the port if they can, or follow the port,” Cruickshank said. “Make something happen with it.”

“It sounds like they don’t want to spend any money,” Larry Bonds later said.

“No, let’s not got there either,” Cruickshank replied. “I don’t know that. I mean we don’t have any money but we could certainly get grant money or whatever. The motivation is they want something to happen to it.”

“The commission does too,” Bonds said. “I don’t think any of us just want it to sit there.”

The commissioners and the port manager batted around a few ideas.

“I’d like to fill it with our dredge spoils,” Port Manager Jackie Lea said. There were nods of approval.

“I think it would be 20 years down the line before you got the permit process,” Commissioner Gary Quigley said, “to even think about doing it.”

Bonds spoke to the inherent problems involved in adding a marina in that location. They would have to dredge the site down for tidal water and due to the location, keeping the dredging out would be a constant battle.

Lea suggested a workshop between the town and the port while Commissioner Gary Quigley seemed to signal a desire to take time and look at the issue from a purely port perspective.

“Why don’t we as a port further this, find out what we can and can’t do with it?” Quigley asked.

Bonds agreed.

The commissioners then went into an executive session to discuss personnel.