QUILCENE — The Port of Port Townsend has scheduled a public meeting in July to discuss a proposed sale of 57 acres to Coast Seafoods Co., which hopes to expand its capacity for producing oyster seed.
The meeting is set for 6 p.m.
July 19 at the Quilcene Community Center, 294952 U.S. Highway 101. Representatives from the company will attend.
“The purpose of the meeting will be to present the information about the proposal to the public,” Port Director Larry Crockett said.
“We want to clear up any misconceptions that people have.”
Crockett said the price for the land would be determined by an appraisal. Its most recent valuation was $1.1 million.
Coast officials approached the port last month with a proposal to buy four parcels to expand the Quilcene Hatchery on Linger Longer Road, where the company already owns much of the waterfront, according to Port Deputy Director Jim Pivarnik.
Judy Edwards, site manager of the Quilcene Hatchery, said Thursday that there is a need for expansion.
“There’s a shortage of oyster seed on the West Coast, and we want to fulfill that need,” she said.
The company raises seeds for oysters, which requires temperature control, Pivarnik said.
“The best way to do that is in a greenhouse,” he said.
The company has four greenhouses now and wants to build at least three more.
“The only expansion they are looking at is the addition of greenhouses,” Pivarnik said Thursday.
The additions would cost the company about $750,000, Edwards said.
She added that such plans are “premature” since everything depends on the company acquiring the land needed to expand.
One of the parcels the firm would buy would be the present three lots, comprising about 10 acres, that the company now leases from the port and upon which it has sited buildings, Pivarnik said.
The other land that would be purchased includes a 40-acre parcel that has a community well and septic system and another piece of property that would be the site of additional greenhouses, he said.
Under the proposal, the port would retain the marina, boat dock, swim areas and adjacent parking.
Port Commissioner Dave Thompson said the port does not make any money on the $5,000 monthly lease with Coast because of expenses in maintaining the land, including the installation of a $500,000 septic system.
About a dozen Quilcene residents attended Wednesday night’s meeting, where no action — other than scheduling a public meeting — was planned.
Several of those who commented expressed concern about the ecological impact of an expansion of the Coast operation.
“While the port isn’t responsible for water quality, the probable detrimental effect on Dabob Bay would be directly impacted by Coast’s expansion,” said Connie Gallant of Quilcene, a longtime environmentalist and chairwoman of the Wild Olympics Campaign.
“I would ask the port to weigh heavily any decision that will have an impact on the Quilcene ecosystem that has kept most of us in the area.”
A statement from Coast distributed at the meeting said the company closely monitors water quality and would continue to do so if it expands.
“This is an interesting proposal,” said Cass Brotherton of Quilcene who, with her husband Tom and son Greg is running the Village Store.
“There will be some outstanding discussion,” she added.
“I do think there is a win-win solution to be had.”
Herb Beck, former port commissioner, opposes the proposal, saying that selling the land to Coast would stifle competition and make it impossible for any other company to harvest shellfish in the bay.
Linda Herzog of Quilcene Conversations — who said she has spent several days talking to Quilcene residents about the proposal — recommended that people attend the public meeting with an open mind.
“The passion I’ve heard about this all comes from peoples’ wants and needs and dreams for Quilcene,” she said.
“A lot of the ideas seem to be in conflict but I don’t think that’s the case.
“They just want what’s best for Quilcene.”
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
Managing Editor/News Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3531 or at leah.leach@peninsuladailynews.com.
