PORT ANGELES — Port of Port Angeles commissioners approved a provisional cost-sharing and cooperation agreement that outlines the funding, coordination and decision-making process related to the cleanup of western Port Angeles Harbor.
Under the agreement, approved unanimously on Tuesday, the port and five other entities identified as potentially liable parties — the city of Port Angeles, Georgia-Pacific, Merrill & Ring, Nippon Paper Industries and Owens Corning — will each contribute one-sixth of the cost of the entire cleanup.
A new party can be added to the original potentially liable parties (PLPs) if it is determined during the cleanup process that it was responsible for any contamination. The port also will manage the financial transactions of the PLP.
In the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century, commercial fishing, marine transport sawmills and pulp and paper production released hazardous substances into the harbor that settled into harbor’s sediment.
Port commissioner Colleen McAleer noted that the port did not contaminate the harbor, but it purchased properties that were sites where those activities occurred. She added that the public would not shoulder the burden of paying for the port’s portion of the cleanup; its insurance will cover up to $200 million of the cost — a more than adequate amount.
The agreement was another step toward progress on the harbor. At their May 27 meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a consent decree agreeing to help carry out the cleanup, according to a schedule and requirements outlined by the state Department of Ecology.
“This is a major milestone for us,” commissioner Steve Burke said. “We’ve completed all the studying and what you need to do, and now we’re actually going to the performance stage of action.”
The port moved ahead as well on Phase 4 of the reconstruction and rehabilitation taxiway project at William R. Fairchild International Airport with commissioners’ unanimous approval of a $423,454 contract with Century West Engineering. The Federal Aviation Administration will fund 95 percent of the project ($402,281); the port and the state Department of Transportation will evenly split the remaining 5 percent of the cost ($10,586 each).
Bidding on construction of the taxiway project will take place this month, and work is anticipated to start next summer, depending on FAA funding, airport manager James Alton said.
Commissioners approved a personal services contract with Miller & Company for legal counsel related to the port’s operational, compliance and other needs as a foreign-trade zone.
In January, the port received FTZ designation on all of its properties. That will enable domestic and foreign products to be manufactured, stored and processed without being subject to to U.S. Customs duties or federal excise taxes. Any duties and fees would be paid when products leave the zone.
“They are attorneys who specialize in FTZs,” said Caleb McMahon, the port’s director of economic development. “They come highly recommended.”
The port will pay Miller & Company at the rate of $550 and hour, a 25 percent discount on its private rate, McMahon said.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
