Supporters of Harbor-Works see it as a success in finally moving the Rayonier cleanup process forward after years of delays at the state level.
Jim Hallett, who owns a financial planning and investment advisory firm in Port Angeles, is a member of the development authority’s board of directors.
Hallett said that Harbor-Works has given the community “a heightened awareness of the challenges.
“There’s probably a much better understanding of how to work with the various agencies — the Department of Ecology, Department of Natural Resources . . . and probably a growing awareness around here and in other places about the fact that these are agencies that need to be reframing the question: How can we help you? Rather than how can we regulate you?”
Said Jeff Lincoln, the Harbor-Works executive director:
“There is something very good that can happen down there.
“The bottom line is we needed to get this cleanup under way. The status quo is not acceptable.”
Port of Port Angeles President George Schoenfeldt said in a statement that studies completed by Harbor-Works will speed up the cleanup “and return this important waterfront property to productive use in support of economic development for our county.”
Port commissioners John Calhoun and Jim McEntire agreed that they continue to support the funding of Harbor-Works.
Said Calhoun:
“The port stands by our decision to form and fund HarborWorks . . .
“It is clear that our community would be better off if Harbor-Works were fully successful in this effort as opposed to the endless delays, uncertainty and lack of local control that we may now face.”
