October was a busy month at the meeting table, and one topic was brought up over and over again: the proposed Westport Golf Links. It came up at LTAC, City Council, the Planning Commission, and at two State Parks Commission meetings in Aberdeen and Olympia, leaving the project’s future very much in doubt.
State Parks takes a hard look at the golf course
State Parks held a public comment meeting in Aberdeen on Oct. 19 and a regular Commission Meeting in Olympia on Oct. 21. During the State Parks meeting, the Commission received 88 public comments, with 29 people speaking in favor of the golf course and 88 against. More than 1500 written comments were also submitted to Commissioners before the meeting.
The No Golf Course Side at the WA State Parks Comment Meeting on Oct. 19
During the Oct. 21st Parks meeting, the Department of Ecology described Westport Light State Park as a large mosaic of interdunal wetlands, a type found only along Washington’s Pacific coast. With a Category 1 ranking, the highest level, this area carries the top conservation ranking. Because the Army Corps has declared the wetlands waters of the United States, the Westport Golf proposal would also need to meet the Clean Water Act.
Ecology said the mitigation plan as proposed would fill 30.27 acres of wetlands directly. Golf courses are considered a high-intensity land use, so the project also requires a 300-foot wetland buffer. Ecology called it the single biggest wetland fill in Washington, and said it was doubtful the project could be permitted as presented.
Commissioners raised a long list of concerns. Among them were the Quinault Nation’s opposition and treaty rights, the likelihood of lawsuits, the public’s input, timelines that have stretched about six years, whether the project fits the agency’s core mission, and the cost of managing a large concession agreement. Chair Holly Williams said the project is not permittable as designed and recommended that work on it be discontinued. A formal vote could come in November.
At the Oct. 26 city council meeting, Troy Meyers called the State Parks meeting “not a positive meeting.” He said he is worried about inaccuracies in what commissioners are hearing. He said it felt like the agency was working backward toward the result it wants.
Mayor Welter said a November vote would be premature, and expressed frustration that State Parks is holding more public comment before releasing the EIS. Welter spoke at the public comment meeting, mentioning long-time frustrations with communication between the city and State Parks.
Louis Summers also spoke at the comment meeting, expressing worries that the golf course may push out seniors, locals, and first-time homebuyers.
Park Commissioners will vote on the proposal on Nov. 18.
(Please note: This is just a brief summary of two very lengthy meetings. If you want to really dive into this, I suggest watching the two State Parks meetings from Oct. 19 and Oct. 21)
No Kraken Mural and No NYE Fireworks
LTAC spent much of its Oct. 7 meeting on murals. Members praised the new mural at the South Beach Arts Center, and Meyers said murals soften and refresh the area. Other ideas included murals on the VES tower. LTAC recommended a Kraken mural on the public restrooms, but ultimately City Council voted it down, with Rick Mature asking why the town would want a kraken sinking a ship.
Even though the city didn’t approve any murals, the All for Art crew completed an impressive number of murals around town in September and October, including new murals at The Shop N Kart, The Local Bar and Grill, and the Local Store.
The All for Art Crew in front of a freshly painted mural at the Shop N Kart
On Oct. 12, council discussed whether fireworks draw people to Westport for New Year’s Eve. While some hotels are already booked to capacity, council voted to move the funding approved for fireworks from New Year’s Eve to the 2027 VES tower unveiling.
SeaLink Construction
SeaLink, owned by Alaska Power and Telephone Company, is building a landing spot in Westport for undersea internet cables that carry phone and internet traffic across the ocean. These fiber optic cables transmit data between continents and across oceans.
On Oct. 12, Steve LeVeck of SeaLink updated council on its progress. The 1.3 miles of beach construction should wrap up in mid-to-late December, and he said noise has been less than expected. The cables start out running 35-75 feet deep on the beach, and by the time they reach the water, they are 100 feet or more deep.
SeaLink drilling site at Cohasset Beach- image from SeaLink presentation to City Council on Oct. 12
As a precautionary measure before drilling, SeaLink surveyed the foundations of the five homes closest to the drill site in Cohasset Beach. Four were clean. One had seven existing structural cracks and is now being monitored monthly. According to LeVeck, three vibration monitors run around the clock; their threshold is a half inch of movement, so far it’s at about an eighth of an inch.
The fiber lines will eventually run from Westport to Olympia and will be buried alongside or under the roadside. (You’ve likely been stuck in the one-way construction traffic as lines are buried on Chehalis, Montesano, and S. Forrest). The project will affect the drive to Aberdeen starting in the third quarter of 2027, LeVeck said. Residents should expect road segments to close with traffic control, though about 98% of the work will be on the road shoulder.
Conduit cables running on Montesano - image from SeaLink presentation to City Council on Oct. 12
Around town
Skatepark: The skatepark is done and should be open for skating any day now! A soft opening is set for early November, with a larger grand opening in the spring when the weather clears. Planning commissioners who toured the site promised some neat community touches. One note: a drinking fountain wasn’t in the contractor’s scope, and the City is working on figuring that out.
The Westport Skatepark- image courtesy Darcia Davis
VES tower and Fishermen’s Memorial: The tsunami tower is on schedule after its groundbreaking. The Fishermen’s Memorial is also moving forward with strong community support, and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on December 11 at 4:30 pm.
Water: The city faces a roughly $30 million need for two new wells and two towers. City Council approved hiring a water funding consultant, the same lobbyist who secured $150,000 for past water main improvements.
Police: The department hired a new officer and is interviewing for a sergeant. Next year the department will move into the City Hall building, and Chief Phillips said he looks forward to a bigger lobby, interview rooms, and a separate entrance for arrests.
Other notes: Council approved a new roof and fascia for Old City Hall. LTAC received 17 grant applications for next year. New state data shows 487 contacts to the 988 crisis line from Grays Harbor County, putting us in the top 20% statewide. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988.
Upcoming Dates
Nov. 7- Indoor Kite Festival
Nov. 7- Holiday Market with South Beach Arts
Nov 14- Christmas Bazaar at the Pine Tree Tavern
Nov. 21- Deck the Docks
Nov 21- Ocosta Senior Auction