Marina sees increase in fishing season revenue

Wahkiakum County Port District 1 Commissioners gathered for their April 12 meeting to discuss a concession stand contract, parking, the coming farmers market and more.

Revenue during the recent fishing season, from March 1 to April 7, was $79,062.80. That was just a little over $30,000 more than the same period last year, according to Port Manager Jackie Lea.

“We weren’t as busy as we could have been,” Lea said of the season. “I think everything went well, but we still had campsites available. Not the desirable ones. And we still had a few moorage places, too, and normally we don’t have any.”

“I think that went hand in hand with the fish run too,” Commissioner Brett Deaton said. “Not the best prediction, but there were fish caught.”

Dredging was completed on February 28. Repairs are being made to the tug and dredge, and painting is planned. According to Commissioner Scott Anderson, it was a successful first year.

“Our cost per yard as opposed to the bid we had a few years ago is roughly half,” Anderson said.

Lea said that 10,000 cubic yards of material was moved into the first sewage pond. It is estimated that there is another 6-8,000 cubic yards in a second pond.

The commissioners are pleased with the results.

“The big yachts should not have a problem this year,” Deaton said, “even in low water.”

Administrative Assistant Mackenzie Jones said that some of the people involved in the Puget Island Farmer’s Market were planning to continue to sell their products at the farmers market when it opens at the port this year. She said that she had been contacted by some new vendors as well.

Deaton reported that he had gotten a lot of complaints about parking during the fishing season.

Lea said there had been some talk about creating an area for parking just for cars. Nothing was determined.

In other news, Lea said that someone was interested in renting the concession stand and were wondering if putting in a range hood might offset rent.

After some discussion, the commissioners said they would like more information before they make a decision.

Finally, Anderson said that he was expecting a proposal from someone who was interested in basing a business on port property.