The Port of Port Townsend is considering acquiring the 253-acre Short’s Family Farm in Chimacum. On September 28, 2022, the Port signed a Letter of Intent with Roger and Sandy Short that initiated a four-month investigatory period. During this time, the Port is gathering all available information about the Short’s Farm, including conducting an updated environmental assessment and appraisal. The Port is interested in acquiring the Short’s Farm to support active agricultural production in Jefferson County, local food resilience, and job creation. This farm is one of the largest contiguous agricultural land holdings in East Jefferson County.

What would the Port do with this property? A farm plan has yet to be developed.  However, if acquired, the Port would engage in open and honest conversations with the farming community about what is most needed to sustain and enhance our local agricultural economy, and then develop a farm plan to help make that happen. The Port would also work closely with other key entities including Jefferson Land Trust, the Conservation District, North Olympic Salmon Coalition, Jefferson County, WSU Extension, and others to develop this plan. Early feedback suggests that this farm is critical to reestablishing effective drainage in the Chimacum Creek watershed and assuring safe passage for salmon.  An effective, community-based farm plan will address these many layers of complexity and help to support the community’s interests both today and for future generations.

Opportunities to acquire such significant properties are rare and the Port is very interested in exploring whether it can play a constructive role in supporting the agricultural sector of our economy by purchasing the Short’s Family Farm. The Commission wants to hear from all interested parties and encourages you to email (publiccomments@portofpt.com), call, or attend meetings. The Commission will have a special meeting in January when staff shares the findings of the investigative phase and listen to, and learn, from the community. When that date is fixed, notice will be here (commission meeting page) and of course, if you sign up for email updates from the Port, notice will also arrive in your inbox.

Additional Resources/Project Documents:

Appraisal January 25, 2023
Appraisal January 2015
Chimacum Drainage District History, Conditions, Options by Jefferson County Conservation District
Chimacum Creek Watershed Map Set
Chimacum Creek North Olympic Salmon Coalition Geomorphic Assessment
Commission Authorization of Purchase February 15, 2023
Conservation Easement (Recorded)
Conservation Easement-Baseline Conditions Report by Jefferson Land Trust
Conservation Easement-Stewardship Plan by Jefferson Land Trust
Environmental Phase I Site Assessment December 13, 2022
Environmental Site Assessment Feb. 19, 2014
Environmental Investigation Completed Questionnaire by Port to ADESA Environmental Investigations
Letter of Intent Access Agreement
Meeting Materials Port Commission Dec. 14, 2022 Presentation
Meeting Materials Port Commission Jan. 17, 2023 Presentation
Meeting/Commission Retreat April 20, 2023 Presentation
Public Comment to Date
Salmon Restoration Assessment (Coho) Northwest Watershed Institute 1996

Title Documents:  Deeds, Exception Documents, Maps, Preliminary Title Commitment

As information is gathered, it will be posted here.

Joint Meeting September 12, 2022
Click here to go to the shared website (City, PUD, Port) on this project.

• RCO Funding Agreement
• PowerPoint on Gardiner Boat Ramp presented to RCO
• Gardiner Boat Ramp Plans

What is SEPA?

The Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) provides a way to identify possible environmental impacts that may result from governmental decisions. These decisions may be related to issuing permits for private projects, constructing public facilities, or adopting regulations, policies or plans. Information provided during the SEPA review process helps agency decision-makers, applicants, and the public understand how a proposal will affect the environment. This information can be used to change a proposal to reduce likely impacts. For more information about the SEPA process, visit the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Port Information

SEPA Procedures Resolution

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Decision Documents