Clallam County commissioners agreed to sign a letter supporting the Port of Port Angeles’ application to the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program to modernize Terminal 3.

The letter request, presented by Catherine Fraser of the Port of Port Angeles, asks county leaders to back an $11,250,000 application, a project Fraser said is classified by the program as a “small port” project and would be 80% federally funded.

The port’s proposal seeks to remove aging 1960s timber pilings on the east side of Terminal 3, replace them with a rectangular concrete dock and a new trestle to uplands, and remove a creosote‑soaked fuel pier on the west side. "Part of Terminal 3, the east side, is still 1960s original timber construction," Fraser said. "There are weight restrictions ... the timber piers and pilings just aren't strong enough, and we can't risk anything safety wise." Fraser said the work would also reduce operational pinch points and offer water‑quality benefits by removing old creosote‑soaked pilings.

Fraser told commissioners the port tailored the request to the program’s "small project" set‑aside to stay competitive against similarly sized ports. "That $11,250,000 … is what they consider a small project," she said. The port also said the federal program’s funds for the current round have been allocated and that program allocations appear healthy for the near term.

Commissioners had no substantive objections and a commissioner said, "I have no questions. It's a great project, and we wish you the best. So I think we'll be happy to sign this letter, a week from tomorrow to our regular meeting." The board directed staff to place the letter on the next regular meeting agenda for signature.

If awarded, the federal share would pay about 80% of the project cost; the application remains competitive and subject to Maritime Administration review. The port offered to follow up with design illustrations to county staff after the meeting.

The county’s action is procedural: commissioners will sign a support letter at the regular meeting scheduled a week after the work session. The application, if successful, would require permitting and construction planning before work begins.