Port 1 commission hears milfoil, grant reports

At a quick meeting last Thursday, the Wahkiakum Port 1 Board of Commissioners received an update on milfoil at the marina and learned about a couple potential grants.

The Wahkiakum County Weed Board, with the support of Wahkiakum County commissioners, have been trying to address a milfoil problem in some of the local waterways, including the Elochoman Slough Marina, and some of the sloughs on Puget Island. A permit is being renewed, and a company has been hired to spray for it, hopefully this summer.

Commissioners were asked to consider a potential interlocal agreement to use the port’s boats to do the work. The commissioners were agreeable to the idea.

Port staff are hoping to apply for two grants. One, a Sea Grant, could be used to pay for signs at the marina about native plants and birds, and the other, a grant from the Marine Resources Committee, would be used to repave deteriorating walkways at County Line Park. The commissioners authorized staff to move forward with both grant applications.