PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles hosted a discussion with 24th Legislative District state representatives and a presentation to Sen. Mike Chapman by the Washington Public Ports Association of its Compass Award.
Port of Port Angeles Commissioners Steve Burke, Connie Beauvais and Colleen McAleer were joined by Chapman, D-Port Angeles, Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Port Townsend, Rep. Adam Bernbaum, D-Port Angeles, Port of Port Angeles Executive Director Paul Jarkiewicz, Port of Port Townsend Executive Director Eron Berg and Grays Harbor Executive Director Leonard Barnes on Tuesday.
Since 2018, the WPPA has recognized one Democratic and one Republican legislator with its annual Compass Award for their leadership and support of public ports.
“We give to those who execute their mission in a nonpartisan fashion, but in a manner that requires partnership with both parties,” said WPPA Executive Director Eric ffitch.
“All of our ports serve a statewide mission, even as they represent the individual communities that they serve. You’ve demonstrated leadership in rural economic development generally and specifically in creating grant programs that are available to port districts.”
Chapman said it should really be called the “Team 24 Award,” because it represents the collaboration among district legislators who work on behalf of ports to create jobs and spur economic development.
“On not doing things on my own,” he said.
Sen. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, was this year’s other WPPA Compass Award recipient.
In discussions about the upcoming 2026 legislative session, key themes of rural economic development, collaboration among the ports and workforce and infrastructure investment emerged.
Port Angeles port commissioners advocated for the expansion of the state Department of Natural Resources’ Derelict Vessel Removal Program and pressed for halting a state Department of Transportation proposal to install roundabouts on U.S. Highway 101 between Sequim and Port Angeles.
During the Port Angeles commissioners’ work session, division managers presented revenue and expenditure projections for 2026.
Facilities Manager Wilson Easton said he was looking into ways log yard operations could provide additional revenue at a time when fewer of those vessels visit the port. Among the possibilities could be partnering with a local company to provide material like landscaping bark. Removing vessels from Boat Haven whose owners are delinquent benefits the port by opening up berths to paying tenants, Marine Trades Manager Marty Marchant told commissioners.
However, the port often doesn’t learn until months after the fact from PetroCard, which contracts with the port to manage Boat Haven, that a tenant had ceased paying rent. The problem, Jarkiewicz said, is that port policies to identify, track and address delinquent accounts are among PetroCard’s responsibilities that are not being followed.
“We need to look at this,” Burke said.
The port’s 2026 draft capital budget has about $39 million in projects slated — $28 million of it grant-funded, director of engineering Chris Hartman said. Among the biggest line items in its five-year capital plan are expansion of Terminal 3 ($5.25 million) and improvements to the Intermodal Handling and Transfer Facility ($3.15 million).
The port has secured $58.3 million in grants, Katharine Frazier said in her third-quarter update to the board. It had received about $48 million in federal funding, $1.1 million in state money and $1.8 million in county awards. The port had contributed almost $8 million — about 14 percent — in matching funds, Frazier said.
Jarkiewicz reminded commissioners that the draft budget has not been finalized and is still being “polished.”
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
