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Port of Columbia County requests funding flexibility for repairs, cleanup and grant matches
Summary
Port executive Sean Clark described multiple capital needs including a creosote-site cleanup (estimated $30 million), a damaged dock rebuild (estimated $30–60 million depending on timing) and marina maintenance; the port is seeking grant matches and would consider restoring a local tax levy to provide matching funds.
Sean Clark, executive director of the Port of Columbia County, briefed the committee on April 17 about several capital needs and grant-funded projects the port is pursuing, including contaminated-site cleanup, dock repairs and long-term marina planning.
Clark described a creosote contamination site at the Railroad Avenue facility (former pulp/tar operation). He said cleanup estimates are “about $30,000,000” and that the port has a potential EPA grant of $4,000,000 pending federal funding; the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is expected to contribute $500,000 and the port plans to match $500,000 to begin a Phase 1 cleanup estimated at $5,000,000. “We’d like to get started on that soon,” Clark said, if federal funding is approved.
Clark also discussed damage to the Port Westward dock during an incident in November 2023 and subsequent repair work to restore pipeline service for a tenant. He said the pipeline did not rupture and temporary repairs returned service within 90 days. Clark estimated a full rebuild of the dock could range “between $30 to $60,000,000 depending on the amount of time it takes us to start,” and said the port applied for a Connect Oregon grant for $2.7 million to begin work on berth 1 to allow continued operations while berth 2 is addressed.
On the Scappoose Bay Marina, Clark cited a recent feasibility study that showed operating losses of roughly $550,000 and noted channel infill of approximately “about 2 inches a year,” making future dredging and basin maintenance increasingly expensive. He said the port will convene community discussion on long-term options, including shallow-draft and paddle-sport uses.
Clark explained the port has largely relied on grants to leverage capital investment and said restoring the port tax would give the port the match capacity needed to pursue larger federal grants. The port has not levied its tax since 2020, he said, and estimated that reactivating the levy could raise about $500,000 annually — an example he used was an assessed-home impact “about $26.58” on a $300,000 assessed value. Clark said the port’s combined lease, permit and license revenue totals about $5,000,000 annually (not including Next Energy).
Committee members raised questions about the port’s recent rent arrangements with Next Energy; Clark said current lease payments are deferred and that the deferred balance would be repaid with interest if the project proceeds, and that the port negotiated a reduced current payment to preserve the tenant relationship while permitting and permitting timelines continue.
Clark asked the committee to consider the port’s capital and grant strategy and the potential need for local public financing to match grants that could unlock larger federal and state funds for cleanup and infrastructure work.
