Port of Olympia approves Deschutes Estuary maintenance project agreement

The Port of Olympia Commission agreed for Executive Director Sam Gibboney to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the governance and funding of the Deschutes Estuary project during their meeting held yesterday, October 17.

All three Port Commissioners voted yes for the MOU despite Commissioner Joe Downing’s reservations.

“I think I understand the mood of the people. The folks that are behind taking the dam out have not asked the people,” Downing said.  “I still believe that if we asked Thurston County, which is not easy to do on every issue, the majority would say to leave Capitol Lake the way it is.”

Non-binding MOU

The other two port commissioners expressed their support and pointed out that the MOU is non-binding.

“My opinion is that this is non-binding. If we want to preserve our interests of being stewards of the environment, having a working waterfront, and being a place for recreational boaters, we need to have a seat at the table so that we can influence the final outcome,” said Commissioner Amy Evans-Harding.

Port Executive Services Director Lisa Parks said that the MOU only outlines areas where there are broad agreements. The agreement also indicates a shared commitment between those affected by the proposed estuary as the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) works to submit the project to the legislature.

Those involved in the project will continue to develop other interlocal agreements that will determine how the project will be implemented.

“The fact that it is a non-binding agreement that would be put forward and maintained through future interlocal agreements is a major point of agreement that was really important for the Port District,” Parks said.

As part of the MOU, the Port will be responsible for the design, permitting, and contract management for the maintenance dredging in port vessel berths after the Capitol Lake Dam is removed as part of the project. The Port will also lead the coordination with the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the maintenance dredging in the federal navigation channel and turning basin.

The Port expects to spend $3,227,000 for maintenance dredging. Tumwater, Thurston County, Washington State, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance will each contribute $2,865,000, while Olympia will contribute $4,297,000.

Another funding source includes $5,800,000 from the Marinas, which it expects to spend for maintenance dredging even without the estuary.

DES hopes that all parties in the MOU will approve it by October 19, giving them time to attach it to the Final Environmental Impact Statement, which they will submit to the legislature on October 31.