Port 1 commission discuss dredging, dock

Wahkiakum County Port 1 commissioners gathered for a special meeting to discuss dredging and a dock for commercial fishermen at the marina on Friday.

The commercial dock is a joint project with the Marine Resource Committee and is nearly complete. The dock and gangway will be for commercial fishermen to load and unload equipment, and to unload and sell fish. There will be a designated parking area for them nearby.

Meanwhile, the window for dredging closes on February 28, and the port is scrambling to get in a couple weeks of work. According to Port Manager Jackie Lea, they will focus on the area around the fuel dock first.

The two Port of Portland employees who recently made some repairs to the dredge, Clay Mullins and Dan Ostrand, have offered to work the dredge a couple days a week. The port is considering hiring a couple more people for the short period that is left of the work window in order to get more done. Normally, a project like this would go out to bid, but the port is running out of time.

The commissioners also discussed other matters concerning the dredge, including radios, fuel containers, an A-frame to hold anchors and more.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 9 at 5 p.m. in the marina office.