PORT ANGELES — The first of two $150,000 government grants to start up a new harbor agency was approved Monday.
And the second $150,000 may be coming soon.
Port of Port Angeles commissioners voted unanimously Monday to grant the Port Angeles Harbor-Works Public Development Authority the funds.
The authority board expects to formally ask the city of Port Angeles for an equal amount at an Aug. 19 meeting of the City Council.
Harbor-Works, which was created in May, is taking aim at Port Angeles Harbor cleanup — especially the long-stalled cleanup of the privately owned site of the former Rayonier Inc. pulp mill in eastern Port Angeles.
“We as the board of directors are committed to not spend any [funds] beyond those for the purpose of our mission,” Orville Campbell, Harbor-Works board chairman, told port commissioners, who met Monday.
Port Executive Director Bob McChesney said the port has about $7.5 million that it received from the state as a result of a settlement over the failed Hood Canal Bridge graving yard project.
The Harbor-Works funds will be taken from the settlement money.
