PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles is contributing to a city of Port Angeles’ effort to join the fight of a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency that port officials said could have severely affect port operations.
Port commissioners voted Monday to contribute $2,500 to the city’s efforts but held off on a decision to fight the lawsuit in a more direct manner.
Proposed FEMA actions to meet the lawsuit’s requirements could make it almost impossible for the port to do business, commissioners said.
Port Angeles is one of nearly a dozen cities that united to fight a National Wildlife Federation lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency that could stop development along waterfronts.
The National Wildlife Federation’s lawsuit claims FEMA isn’t properly managing development in shoreline areas to protect endangered species.
One approach FEMA is considering is a rule demanding that applicants submit a habitat assessment, along with a permit application for development in a floodplain.
Flood insurance
As part of that legal challenge, the group of cities is seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the sale of FEMA flood insurance throughout the Puget Sound region.
“All of the port’s properties on the waterfront would be impacted,” Commissioner John Calhoun said.
The contribution is a modest action taken by the port, Calhoun said.
The port commissioners’ intent is to monitor the situation and keep open an option to take separate action if it seems more action is needed, he said.
“It’s in our best interest to partner with the city,” Commissioner Jim Hallett said.
Other ports in the state have declined to take any action at this time, Commissioner Paul McHugh said.
McHugh recently attended a Washington Public Ports Association conference, where he said port representatives showed little concern.
“I was a little disappointed,” McHugh said.
The Port of Port Angeles could encourage the other ports to action by providing an example, he suggested.
Leaving it to ports
Not all cities are addressing it, leaving it up to ports in those areas, he said.
McHugh said the discussion at the port association meeting indicated that many of the ports declined to fight the lawsuit because of the costs involved.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
