Poor springer season costs marina $60,000

At the Wahkiakum County Port 1 meeting on Tuesday, Port Manager Jackie Lea estimated that revenues were down $60,000 from last May because of a poor fishing season.

According to the manager’s report, the port plans to investigate other potential sources of revenue, including the possibility of a vendor fair.

A couple local men recently took out some dead and leaning trees around the Elochoman Slough Marina for the port, according to the manager’s report, and cleared out some more of the trees that were blocking the view at the scenic overlook and in another area near PJ’s restaurant.

“It looks nice,” Lea said.

The port received a report from the Department of Ecology that the marina's fuel lines had passed a recent inspection.

The gas tank needs to be cleaned, and one of the top portals is rusting and needs to be sealed, according to the manager’s report. A bid has been received from one company so far.

Commissioners also discussed the spill response trailer and its maintenance. Staff had assembled a comparative list of needed parts, maintenance and prices from several businesses.

“Everybody in the county is able to use it,” Lea said. “When the cannery fell in, they used it. There was a car wreck on the game refuge, they came and got the trailer. So all the sheriff’s office has the code to unlock and use the trailer if they need it. And sometimes it’s gone over when they are fueling at the ferry."

“When we originally got that thing, they were

responsible for replacing all the spill stuff, and they are supposed to be doing the maintenance and repair,” Lea said of the Department of Ecology. “We have to get prices and they will pay 100

percent. We purchased it first and they paid us back for it.

In other news, the website for the marina is being updated and the port is considering using booking.com to list some of their accommodations.

The next port meeting is scheduled for June 8, at 5 p.m.