PORT TOWNSEND — The Port of Port Townsend is asking the public to help identify the environmental impacts of proposed changes at its properties.
A public “scoping” session will be held by a Port consultant Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Point Hudson Marina Room, 103 Hudson St., Port Townsend.
The meeting, concurrent with a Port commissioners meeting, is being held as the process continues to update the “Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements,” which was developed more than two decades ago.
The Port and its consultant, the Everett engineering firm Reid Middleton, is reviewing the future of such properties as Point Hudson Marina, Kah Tai Lagoon uplands, Boat Haven Marina, Gardiner Landing boat ramp, Port Hadlock boat ramp, Mats Mats boat ramp, Quincy Street Dock, and its beach at Fort Worden.
The preferred plan for each site will be decided Aug. 19.
Plans to be discussed Wednesday were developed by a 22-person advisory committee and Reid Middleton.
State law requires that the environmental-impacts of the proposals to be studied before any actions are taken, Port Executive Director Larry Crockett said Monday.
People wishing to comment Wednesday on the environmental effects of the plans will be given three minutes to speak, Crockett said. People representing groups will be given five minutes.
The Port is also accepting written comments until July 30 mailed to P.O. Box 1180, Port Townsend, WA 98368, delivered to 333 Benedict St., Port Townsend or faxed to 360-385-3988.
Details of the sites and proposals being considered follows:
Boat Haven
1. Leave marina in same footprint with some reconfiguration of floats to maximize moorage potential, including adding slips in the 40 to 50-foot range. Estimated cost: $12.8 million.
Upland development calls for a business park and infrastructure improvements. Estimated cost: $14.9 million.
2. Deep-water expansion, extending the basin to the east beyond the limits of the existing rubble mound structure. The alternative includes trestle removal, new breakwater, dredging, new work and access piers, demolition of floats, addition of floats, utilities and piers. Estimated cost $33.8 million.
Uplands development would include a work yard, commercial zones, marine trade areas, shipyard, port operations facilities and parking. Estimated cost: $15.3 million.
3. Expansion of the Boat Haven Marina to the southwest beyond the limits of the existing railroad trestle to add a new work pier and new docks. The structure would allow a mixture of slip sizes to meet demand for recreational and commercial vessels for 30 to 50 years. Estimated cost: $34.9 million.
Uplands development plans and cost would be the same as in Alternative 2.
Point Hudson
1. Leaves the marina as is with minor reconfigurations and updates. Some old timber floats would be replaced and some longer slips added. Estimated cost: $1.7 million.
Uplands work might include relocation of the Commander’s House for use as a bed and breakfast. Marine-related commercial and retail uses will continue to occupy space. Estimated cost: $1.5 million.
2. This alternative would replace floats and might reconfigure docks to maximize moorage capacity. One option would add 40- to 50-foot slips. Estimated cost: $2.1 million.
Uplands work would include adding a public walkway and more open spaces. A mix of marine- and non-marine-related businesses would be included. There would also be a public park and associated facilities. Estimated cost: $10.5 million.
3. The existing moorage basin would be enlarged to create additional moorage and buildings along Hudson Street would be removed to create room for moorage for slips ranging from 40 to 60 feet long. Estimated cost: $4.1 million.
Uplands renovation would include walks, open spaces and parks. There would be space for marine- and non-marine-related businesses. Estimated cost: $14 million.
Quilcene Marina
1. Leave the marina in its configuration and maintain as is. Upland development would include purchase of a building across from Coast Seafoods and other adjacent properties. Estimated cost: $15,000.
2. Leave the marina in same basin but reconfigure floats. Evaluate expansion of the marina within existing basin. Estimated cost: 640,000. Develop commercial and marine trades along the shoreline and consider property acquisitions. Estimated cost: $2.4 million.
3. Marina plans and costs are the same as Alternative 2. Uplands development would be the same as Alternative 2 and develop all usable portions of the upper area for accommodations such as an RV park. Estimated cost: $3.8 million.
Mats Mats Launch Ramp
1. Leave the facility as is and provide maintenance to recreational facilities. Possible purchase of adjacent properties. Estimated cost: $3,000 per year.
2. Sell the facility.
Gardiner Launch Ramp
1. Leave the facility as is and provide maintenance to recreational facilities. Possible purchase of adjacent properties. Estimated cost: $3,000 per year.
2. Terminate easement for launch.
Port Hadlock Ramp and Dock
1. Leave the facility as is and provide maintenance to recreational facilities. Possible purchase of adjacent properties. Estimated cost: $5,000 per year.
2. Consider extension of the dock or widening of existing facility to accommodate increased use. Estimated cost: $70,000.
3. Sell the facility.
Quincy Street Dock
1. Renovate the dock and/or retain ownership until other uses become desirable or feasible. Cost estimate: $290,000.
2. Use the property as a mitigation site, if suitable. No cost estimate.
3. Sell the property.
Fort Worden Beach
1. Keep the property for passive recreational use with the option of selling or trading to a public entity. No cost estimate.
2. Sell or trade the property with stipulation it stays open for public use. No cost estimate.
Kah Tai Lagoon and Uplands
1. Use part of the site for commercial, retail or mixed uses and keep the other part as open space. Port would pay only site development costs. Cost estimate: $1.9 million.
2. Develop all usable portions of land for commercial, retail or mixed uses. Estimated cost: $3.2 million.
3. Sell the entire site for private development.
4. Sell the entire site to a public entity or keep it as a park or open space.
The Kah Tai alternatives also include estimated costs for private development.
Local News Editor Jim Manders contributed to this report.
