Now that the Waterfront Trail east of the Rayonier property is closed due to collapsing sea walls and land slides, it raises the question, does the City of Port Angeles have the resources to protect it?
Though the recent sea wall and trail washout west of Lee’s Creek was unpredicted and difficult to prevent, it underlined the need for proactive, and expensive, maintenance, which has been sorely lacking throughout the eastern waterfront section.
For the past five years, interested trail users have been calling attention to the deteriorating conditions there, as more culverts became blocked and ditches filled.
Particularly alarming, the waterfront embankment near Morse Creek has receded over 10 feet in the last two years, and is now a few feet from the edge of the trail pavement and moving steadily closer.
No efforts to control it have been made.
Perhaps the city underestimated the scope of the job when it took it on, and now finds it to be far beyond what it can manage.
Anyhow, the cumulative effects of years of woefully insufficient maintenance will be very expensive to correct.
But if it is not done, a valued asset for its citizens will be lost, and businesses in the city will feel the impact, beginning with the marathon going elsewhere.
Preserving the Waterfront Trail is difficult, and requires a substantial and on-going commitment.
If we want to keep it, I believe it’s time to seek more capable stewardship alternatives at the county or state levels for the section between Ennis and Morse creeks.
Randel Washburne
Port Angeles