PORT ANGELES — The 30-day environmental comment period on the Port of Port Angeles’ proposed washdown site for large ships passed without “substantial comments,” Port Planner Susan Bauer said.
So the Port’s long-awaited state environmental permit for the project could come soon, she said.
“We received notice from the state Department of Ecology that it is getting all the necessary signatures, and when that’s completed, the permit will be released,” she said.
“We’re hoping to announce on May 10 (the next Port commissioners meeting) that we have the permit in hand,” Bauer said.
“But I’m not going to say anything until I have that piece of paper.”
Pressure-wash hulls
The washdown site — to pressure-wash the hulls of dry-docked vessels — and “multipurpose pad,” estimated to cost $2 million, would be located in a graveled area now used for storage north of the Westport Shipyard Inc. building.
The project would allow additional topside repair of large ships, repair and retrofitting of small- to medium-size vessels and expansion of ship repair in Port Angeles, according to Port officials.
Ecology issued the site’s draft National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit on March 25, which was followed by a 30-day comment period that ended April 25.
Now Port officials will meet with potential users of the combination topside repair and washdown operation to see if there is sufficient interest in building it.
