PORT ANGELES — U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks is scheduled to make four stops in Port Angeles today as part of a regular tour through the 6th Congressional District.
George Behan, a Dicks’ spokesman, said the Democrat plans to meet with a Port Angeles Rotary Club, Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict, the project manager for the Elwha dam removal and Port of Port Angeles officials.
The congressman is not scheduled to appear today in Jefferson County which, like Clallam County, is part of the 6th District.
Dicks plans to speak at the Rotary Club of Port Angeles noon meeting at the Port Angeles CrabHouse Restaurant, Behan said.
He will then meet with Sheriff Benedict to discuss improvements to the Clallam County Emergency Operations Center.
Dicks helped secure federal funding for the EOC, county officials said this week.
At 2 p.m, Dicks will talk dam removal with Brian Winter, Elwha River restoration manager for the National Park Service.
The Elwha and Glines Canyon dams, built in 1913 and 1927, respectively, are slated to come down over the next four years in one of the largest habitat restoration projects of its kind.
Dicks secured another $20 million for the project in the Interior appropriations bill, Behan said.
“In a year, they will begin deconstruction of the dams themselves,” Behan said.
At 2:45 p.m., Dicks will meet with Port of Port Angeles officials to discuss a $9 million project to revamp the Black Ball Ferry Line terminal at the foot of Laurel Street in Port Angeles.
The port commissioners have awarded an engineering contract to map the dock work for the MV Coho car and passenger ferry to Victoria.
Behan said the ferry terminal is a “real priority” for the Congressman.
Dicks traditionally visits the North Olympic Peninsula during congress’ annual summer recess.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
