Port 1 watching salmon season with concern

Wahkiakum County Port 1 commissioners met on March 8 to talk about dredging, the springer season, the future farmer’s market and more.

The dredging window closed on February 28, and two members of the crew are setting up pipes around the port for future dredging as well as making improvements and repairs to the tug and dredge.

Maul, Foster, and Alongi, who consulted on the project, used a drone to take pictures of the marina and ponds in order to determine how much of the spoils were moved. It is currently estimated that the port moved 10,000 cubic yards.

The port saw a loss again in February, this time in the amount of $66,744,61. They took in revenues totaling $24,495.50 for the month, and their expenditures equaled $91,240.11.

Hope remains that the springer season will bring in more revenues, but according to Port Manager Jackie Lea, the predictions for the season are bleak.

“The Willamette predictions are up, so that will help,” Commissioner Brett Deaton said.

“As soon as they start catching fish, they’ll start coming faster,” Lea said when asked about the rate of reservations at the marina.

The season ends on April 7, though extensions are possible.

A question about the annual salmon derby, run by the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce for the port led to a discussion about the contract with the Chamber. Last year, the springer season was so bad that the derby was canceled. This year, the Chamber director wondered if the port would rather have help with the farmer’s market than have the Chamber run the salmon derby.

After much discussion and concerns that the port would be unable to use public money to purchase prizes, commissioners decided it would be best to ask the Chamber to help with both events. They authorized Lea to negotiate the contract.

“I want to get the farmer’s market off the ground,” Commissioner Scott Anderson said. “The first year is critical.”

The derby is scheduled for March 30 and 31.

Deaton said that he had forwarded pictures of the dredge to the mayor of Warrenton, who had expressed interest in using it.

“They are going to dredge,” Deaton said. “The original bid was two million dollars. They are looking for cheaper options.”

Commissioner Bob Kizziar asked Lea to consider how much the port should charge to rent the dredge.

A security system was installed at the marina on March 13 and Assistant Port Manager Todd Souvenir is seeking bids for a fence and gate at the rock pit.

Commissioners approved a resolution to give the manager, Jackie Lea, a raise. She will make $5,100 per month, retroactive January 1, 2018. They also approved new cancellation rates for dry camping.

The next port meeting is scheduled for April 12 at 5 p.m.