PORT ANGELES — Opponents of the city of Port Angeles’ plan to use a large tank to prevent sewage overflows have dropped their appeal.
The state Shoreline Hearings Board dismissed the case Wednesday because the Olympic Environmental Council and Port Angeles resident Tyler Ahlgren had withdrawn their appeal filed in February, according to paperwork received by the city of Port Angeles on Thursday.
“It came as a surprise to us,” said Glenn Cutler, city public works and utilities director.
Ahlgren and OEC activist Darlene Schanfald couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.
The appeal had challenged the conditional shoreline permits the state Department of Ecology granted the city to construct new sewer pipes along the waterfront that would connect with a large tank formerly owned by Rayonier Inc.
The city plans to use the tank to temporarily store untreated sewage and stormwater that would otherwise overflow into Port Angeles Harbor during heavy rain.
The appellants were challenging the approximately $40 million project because they wanted the city to instead focus on disconnecting stormwater from the sewer system, which causes the overflows.
City can award contract
The withdrawal of the appeal means the city can award a contract for phase one of the project, which involves construction of the new pipes.
The city was planning to award the contract this summer, but that has been pushed back to spring 2012, Cutler said.
Cutler attributed the delay to the city planning to do more archeological work at the former Rayonier mill site, which the pipes will cross.
He said the city wants to make sure there are no artifacts in the path of construction.
The property is the former site of a Klallam village and the Puget Sound Cooperative Colony.
The delay will likely mean the city will ask Ecology for more time to complete the project, Cutler said.
Ecology is giving the city until 2016 to complete the project or face fines of up to $10,000 per day during sewage overflows.
The city purchased the tank and 12 acres of Rayonier property for $995,000.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
