QUILCENE OUTREACH

By connecting, cooperating, and learning from each other, we can accomplish great things with the Quilcene community.

The Port of Port Townsend is repairing, replacing, and enhancing portions of the Herb Beck Marina based on the feedback provided during the recent “We’re Listening Quilcene” public involvement process.  Two projects are currently underway with a third being actively explored.

Project #1 – Herb Beck Marina Boat Launch Replacement:  The first substantial project involves replacing the existing launch ramp with a new facility.  The existing ramp is at the end of its useful life, is narrow, steep, deteriorating, and will soon be unsafe to use.  The upcoming project will provide a wider and less steep ramp, together with an ADA-accessible concrete wedge and handling float.  The new facility will ensure safe access for persons with disabilities and improve the overall experience for recreational boaters.  It will also allow a somewhat wider range of trailered boats to safely use the launch ramp, make vessel launch and retrieval easier, and provide float space for temporary tie-ups.  In addition to replacing the ramp, the project features upland improvements to the parking area (resurfacing, layout and signage), site landscaping, as well as a comprehensive restroom renovation.

This project has been made possible by a Boating Facilities Grant from the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) of the State of Washington.  The engineering firm Reid Middleton has been selected to design the in-water portions of the project (i.e., the ramp and float), while design of upland project elements will be accomplished by Port engineering staff.  This design work is underway but in a very preliminary stage.  A hydrographic survey has been completed and permitting for the geotechnical investigation needed for in-water portions of the project (i.e., the ramp and float) has been initiated.

Project #2 – Herb Beck Marina Campground Restoration & Improvement:  In addition to the launch ramp replacement project, the Port and Jefferson County PUD are designing and permitting a rehabilitation project for the campground which has been disused for the past several years.  This project includes new electrical and water hookups for RVs, as well as site grading work to re-establish and upgrade the campground at the Herb Beck Marina.

Potential Project #3 – Marina Entrance Dredging/Beach Nourishment & Restoration:  Finally, a separate project under consideration is maintenance dredging of the marina’s entrance channel.  The Port is exploring the potential to combine periodic maintenance dredging of the channel with a corresponding beach nourishment project that would restore the Port-owned beach north of the marina (i.e., by the Yacht Club).  The Port is seeking to team with adjacent private landowners, the Jefferson County Marine Resource Committee, and the Northwest Straits Foundation to explore natural approaches to improve fish and wildlife habitat along this stretch of shoreline, particularly for migratory fish.  However, before seeking permits to use dredge materials for beach nourishment and restoration, the dredge materials must be tested and meet State and Federal standards for toxins and pollutants.

Please watch this space in coming weeks for further details on the projects outlined above, and for the date, time and location of a community meeting (likely in early February) to update progress on the Launch Ramp Replacement and Campground Restoration projects outlined above, and to provide feedback to the engineering team on preliminary project designs.

“We’re Listening, Quilcene” Report
from the Special Meeting on October 13, 2021

Presentation Video:

 

Other helpful links and information: