Port 2 lines up boat, park projects

Staff of Port District No. 2 continue to address two major projects for 2014.

Commissioners on Tuesday approved consultant Karen Bertroch's plans to pursue grant support for their effort to create a display space for an historic Columbia River gillnet boat.

Bertroch estimates the project will cost close to $40,000. She said she has two like funders that could yield $13,000. From there, she'll contact other potential donors to continue the fundraising effort.

The port plans to create a display in which viewers may see down into the boat. Port Commissioner Brian O'Connor, a contractor, volunteered to stake out the display area so that a contractor can begin the excavation. Bertroch said she would look for a contractor who would do the work gratis as an in-kind contribution toward a match for grant funding.

The boat is stored on the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds and must be moved by August 1.

Once the boat is in place, a structure will be erected to cover it.

The port has scheduled a grand opening program for County Line Park on April 26, 1 p.m.

However, Port Manager Janet Bryan reported, the park's water system won't be operational. She learned this week that materials purchased for upgrading the water system didn't meet code requirements for the system.

The port will have to issue a new call for bids for the water system.