Marie Gluesenkamp Perez visits Cathlamet

Washington District Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez visited Wahkiakum County on January 29 to meet with PUD leaders and be updated on the progress of the Puget Island well-drilling, which went underway in December 2024. Drilling this well is among the PUD’s final steps in meeting requirements for a Washington State Department of Health-approved Water System Plan for the Puget Island Water System. Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez helped to secure funding for the project through her Community Project Funding and brought in over $959,00 for the Wahkiakum PUD. In her request to Congress, she stated, “The funding would be used for engineering and construction costs (well drilling, pumphouse construction, property development, etc.) associated with the completion of an alternate water source on Puget Island.” This funding was crucial to the implementation of the project. “At this point, funding has been secured so that there is no rate impact to Puget Island Water System customers to complete the project,” said the PUD Board of Commissioners.

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez met with Wahkaikum PUD General Manager Dan Kay and Commissioner Gene Healy in the PUD meeting room, with Kay starting the conversation by highlighting the hard work the staff at the PUD has put into the project, “This is us, this is our equipment. We get stuff done… I’m just really proud.”

The meeting moved over to the well-drilling site on Puget Island, and they couldn’t have picked a better day. It was a sunny, 45-degree afternoon as Dan Kay gave the Congresswoman a review of the project so far. “The commissioners authorized performing a hydrogeology study, which said that water should be available on the North side of the island… we went out and solicited for property… we had the opportunity to buy a piece of property at a very reasonable cost.” Everything is going according to plan at the drill site, with the deep hole drilled and the pipe and filter going down into it. “What will happen now is they will get it assembled, they seal around the casing, we’ll do production testing.” Once the well is up and running and testing has been completed, the PUD can move on to the next steps. “I really appreciate just the efficiency that you guys are operating with… it’s a pleasure to work with people who are so closely married to doing the thing… as a taxpayer and as a ratepayer, you know, you want to see the thing happen… I’m really pleased to be able to support you guys and bring those dollars home.”

In addition to the Community Project Funding that Gluesenkamp Perez brought in for Wahkiakum County, she also fought for the congressionally mandated study of Grays River Valley flooding to be included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024. The study will be conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for “new navigation, flood risk management, and ecosystem restoration feasibility studies” in Grays River and Grays Bay. After spending time with the PUD and getting some photos at the drill site, the congresswoman and team headed to the Elochoman Marina for a boat tour of Grays Bay and the Wahkiakum area. At the Marina, She was greeted by John Mason, Commissioner Gene Strong, Undersheriff Howell, and Beau Renfro, who received personal kudos from the Congresswoman. “I really appreciate your work to keep our officers safe and connected…thank you so much.” Renfro is the Technology Coordinator for WCSO Emergency and has spearheaded the radio program. After donning life jackets and undergoing a safety briefing, the group climbed aboard and went underway. Sheriff Mason had this to say about the trip: “It was an honor to host Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Commissioner Gene Strong, and the Congresswoman's Staff, Cameron Kockritz and Dominick Sokotoff, on the WCSO Patrol Boat for a tour of Grays Bay and surrounding Wahkiakum area. Good conversation was had by all as Undersheriff Gary Howell piloted, and I was deckhand during a smooth and sunny ride. Thank you to WCSO Emergency Technology Coordinator Beau Renfro and my Grandfather, Milton Doumit Sr., for seeing us off from the Elochoman Marina.”