Project to rid Jefferson waters of old creosote-laden pilings to resume
The old railroad trestle at right -- once the terminus of the railway between Port Townsend and Port Angeles -- is on the state Department of Natural Resources' list for removal in the next few weeks. -- Photo by Jeff Chew/Peninsula Daily News
By Jeff Chew, Peninsula Daily News
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Quigg Bros. Inc. of Aberdeen, the company that last removed pilings in Port Angeles Harbor, is expected to tow in its 120-foot crane barge to resume work that last took place in Port Townsend in early 2007.
The project will include pilings removal at Indian Point, the old railroad trestle fronting the Port of Port Townsend's Boat Haven shipyard, and pilings sites at Old Fort Townsend State Park south of Port Townsend, Fort Flagler State Park on Marrowstone Island and the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building's old pier on the Lower Hadlock waterfront.
"I think work will go into October," David Roberts, DNR aquatic lands regional manager overseeing the project, said Monday at Jefferson County Courthouse after presenting a project update to the county commissioners.
Landmark removal
The project will also include the September removal of a collapsed landmark lumber mill building that is falling into Discovery Bay near its head at U.S. Highway 101.
Cost of the latest work could come to $1 million, he said.
Jefferson County pilings removal projects planned for 2009 include sites in Port Ludlow, Point Whitney near Brinnon, Dabob Bay and Quilcene Bay, Roberts said.
"We're taking pretty much all that is no longer in use," Roberts said of the old pilings, which will be transported to the regional landfill in Klickitat County near the Columbia River for disposal.
Once that work is complete, the state will have spent about $2 million in Jefferson County, he said.
The creosote debris removal program received $4 million for the 2007-09 biennium.
Puget Sound Initiative
Gov. Chris Gregoire's Puget Sound Initiative identified creosote removal as a high priority by adding $2 million for DNR to expand its program and include removal of derelict pilings throughout Puget Sound.
The Puget Sound Initiative is Gregoire's effort to clean up the Sound and Strait of Juan de Fuca by 2020.
DNR's Creosote Inventory and Removal Program identifies and removes creosote and other treated wood materials from beaches through the Sound's and Strait's seven northernmost counties.
DNR is working on the project with the state Parks and Recreation Department, Northwest Straits Commission, Marine Resources Committees, Beach Watchers and other community groups.
The seven counties are those covered by the Northwest Straits Commission: Jefferson, Clallam, San Juan, Island, Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish.
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Port Townsend/Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: August 11. 2008 9:00PM