FORKS — City officials are convinced the Coast Guard has already decided to close Station Quillayute River.
And a special meeting Tuesday between Coast Guard officials and the Forks City Council did little to ease the concerns of West End representatives and residents
Coast Guard officials met with West End leaders to present a proposal to replace Station Quillayute River with an auxiliary in LaPush.
Council member Pat Mansfield blasted Coast Guard officials for their veiled attempt to conceal the looming closure.
“It sounds like your minds are made up,” Mansfield told Coast Guard officials presenting the auxiliary proposal.
“You have answers for everything,” Mansfield said. “Now you want to make us feel a part of the decision.”
Coast Guard Capt. Carl Bromund, readiness planner for the Seattle-based 13th Coast Guard District, disagreed.
According to Bromund, an auxiliary station would operate much like a volunteer fire department, with the Coast Guard providing volunteer training, equipment, maintenance and some funding.
But Bromund assured the City Council and others attending the meeting that a decision has not been made.
