PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles got the go-ahead from the state to move forward with a Marine Trades Industrial Park washdown facility.
The port’s commissioners acknowledged a determination of non-significance Monday after going through a state Environmental Policy Act review for the project.
The port is proposing to construct an approximately 14,000-square-foot wash pad, install pressure washing units and a water treatment system at the northwest corner of the former KPly site at 439 Marine Drive as part of the Marine Trades Industrial Park development.
The project is estimated to cost the port about $2 million. That amount is set aside in the port’s draft 2017 capital budget.
That amount includes contingency funds for unexpected costs, said Chris Hartman, the port’s director of engineering.
The facility would be used by adjacent marine trades companies and would be supported by the port’s existing 500-ton travel lift pier.
The determination of non-significance was issued Sept. 6.
The state departments of Ecology and Archaeology and Historic Preservation requested that a professional archaeologist monitor the project during excavation.
Jesse Waknitz, the port’s environmental manager, said the port plans to comply with that request.
The $2 million budgeted should cover the costs of the archaeologist, Hartman said.
He said because little excavation is needed for the project, an archaeologist would only need to be present for a few days.
“There will be some excavation, but very little,” he said.
Waknitz said that while the project might not start until next year, it’s important to do a state Environmental Policy Act review early to open the port up to potential grants and outside funding.
The project is planned at the 19-acre former KPly site, where the port recently finished a cleanup.
In October 2012, the port signed an order with Ecology to conduct a remedial investigation. From 2012-2015, the port’s environmental consultant prepared work plans, conducted field investigations and prepared a draft cleanup action plan.
The project was finished in May and the port will continue to monitor the site for contaminants as it develops the site.
The industrial park would be an expansion of what is already on Marine Drive and would be similar to the work Westport and Platypus Marine are doing, Hartman has said.
The port is working with a consultant on master planning for the site and is meeting with local shipbuilders and repair companies to gather information about what kind of infrastructure is needed.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
