PORT ANGELES — In a special meeting on Monday that could jump-start the cleanup of the 75-acre former mill site on Port Angeles Harbor, the Port Angeles Harbor-Works Development Authority will consider a “due diligence” agreement with Rayonier Inc.
Details of the agreement with Rayonier that will be considered Monday were not made available by Harbor-Works officials.
Due diligence includes environmental, economic and market analyses of cleaning and redeveloping the site
“Harbor Works will hold a special meeting on Monday because the subject matter is of such a level of importance that a special meeting is justified rather than waiting another two weeks for the next scheduled meeting,” said Jeff Lincoln, Harbor-Works’ executive director.
Other business
Besides the agreement with Rayonier, the Harbor-Works board of directors will consider authorization of two $500,000 loans from the city of Port Angeles and Port of Port Angeles to fund the agency’s operations.
The board will also consider paying for an outside professional service company to do the due diligence work.
Rayonier closed the pulp mill at the foot of Ennis Street in 1997. It has been a state Department of Ecology cleanup site since 2000.
The site is contaminated with pockets of PCBs, dioxin, arsenic and other toxins left by the pulp mill, which operated there for 68 years before closing
The city created Harbor-Works, with support from the Port of Port Angeles, in May 2008 to acquire the site and redevelop the property.
Along with that, the public development authority is expected to assist in the environmental cleanup of the land — exactly to what extent is dependent upon negotiations with Rayonier.
Harbor-Works also has authority to be involved in harbor planning and cleanup of Port Angeles Harbor.
In 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency called the site “moderately contaminated,” perhaps 2 or 3 on a scale of 10.
Before the property can be redeveloped, an archaeological assessment must be done.
A Lower Elwha Klallam Village existed at the waterfront site. The Lower Elwha tribe is a partner in the cleanup with Ecology and Rayonier.
McCormick to resign
In other Harbor-Works news, board member Karen McCormick has announced that she intends to resign from the board of directors effective Oct. 31.
McCormick is the president and chief executive officer of First Federal, where she is stepping down effective Sept. 28. The Port Angeles-based bank announced last week that Levon Mathews will be its next president and CEO.
McCormick intends to travel in her retirement.
“It is with regret that I hereby tender my resignation from the board of directors of the Port Angeles Harbor-Works Public Development Authority,” McCormick wrote in a letter to Port Angeles City Manager Kent Myers and Harbor-Works Board of Directors President Orville Campbell.
“As the year has progressed, I have become aware that my upcoming travel plans will make it impossible for me to serve effectively as a PDA board member,” she continued.
“I enthusiastically support the PDA’s mission, and look forward to our ultimate success.
“We will all benefit greatly from your continuing effort to bring resolution to the former Rayonier mill site.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
