Port 1 prepares for dredging marina

Port 1 commissioners met with Josh Elliott, a project engineer for Maul, Foster & Alongi, last Friday to go over some final details for dredging the Elochoman Slough Marina and a portion of the Elochoman Slough nearby.

"We've got all the permits in hand, just wanted to talk about some outstanding items," Elliott said.

Dredging can begin on November 1, and the biggest item left on the port's agenda is hiring a crew, according to Commissioner Scott Anderson.

The commissioners took the meeting over to the site of the former sewage ponds, where they plan to place the dredge spoils. The water will drain from the spoils and move through each pond.

"It's a natural settling pond, as it is," Commissioner Bob Kizziar explained after a brief conversation with the Town of Cathlamet Public Works Director, Duncan Cruickshank, who had joined the party. "By the time it gets to the third pond, it ought to be pretty clean."

Port Manager Jackie Lea pointed out the location where Wahkiakum High School students would be planting trees and native grass for mitigation, as one of the terms of a permit for the dredging project. The area is approximately 10 x 50 feet and is located outside the easternmost fence on the sewage pond site.