BY PEPPER FISHER
Port Angeles – Anyone who’s launched a boat at the Ediz Hook boat launch in recent years has seen first-hand the ongoing effects of the December 19, 2024, King Tide event that destroyed half of the floating docks, along with the east concrete ramp that supported 10 of the 20 floats. And the remaining ramp is, to say the least, worse for wear.
So much so that a local boating enthusiast has been circulating a petition to try to press the City “to prioritize the refurbishment of the Ediz Hook boat launch…”, and “…ensure safer, more accessible facilities for the locals and tourists alike.”
We forwarded the petition to Corey Delikat, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department for comment and an update. The upshot is, it’s going to take some time and money, but the City of Port Angeles is on the case.
Delikat told KONP the City has been working with FEMA on the redesign of the boat launch since soon after the 2024 King Tide event. He said despite continued efforts by Director of Public Works Scott Curtin with FEMA, they have not been responsive due to the partial government shutdown, so a lot of our questions have been unanswered. That being said, the City has set aside $30,000 as part of the City’s obligation of the FEMA grant match of $128,000 for the Architecture & Engineering (A&E) portion of the project.
This includes an Environmental Assessment of the project, a separate Shoreline Biological Assessment of work below the high tideline, and an Engineering Design for the replacement of the current configuration of the floating docks.
Delikat added that the City is currently putting a Request For Quotation together for the A&E portion of the project. He said once that portion of the project is completed, they’ll be able to determine the cost of the new floats and the amount of local and grant funding that will be needed for the installation.
This funding will be built into the Capital Facilities Plan process this spring, with an emphasis on ensuring the future floats are not damaged by future weather events.
Two weeks ago, Parks staff installed 8 of the remaining floats and are holding onto two floats for repair parts. Weekly maintenance is ongoing, and the City continues to meet with the Salmon Club on a quarterly basis to keep them updated on the project.