Developer pitches Westport Golf Links EIS to Aberdeen council; asks city to comment and consider letter of support

Developer representatives described the Westport Golf Links project, the recently published draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the benefits they say would flow to Aberdeen, and asked the Aberdeen City Council to encourage public comment and consider a letter of support.

The presentation, led by a project representative for Westport Golf Links, outlined a three‑phase plan centered on an 18‑hole links golf course on Westport State Park land; the presenter said the EIS comment period closes May 23 and requested the city help “get the word out” and, if supportive, submit a letter of support to Washington State Parks.

Why it matters: Developers said the project would create jobs, shore‑up coastal investments and expand recreation access; opponents and environmental reviewers during the EIS process will have the opportunity to comment on wetlands, parking, water use and coastal erosion before permitting decisions.

The presenter said the team estimates up to 26,000 additional visitors to the area at peak capacity (about 500 players per day) and described the project as a multi‑phase investment “north of $50,000,000” with an estimated 350 construction jobs and roughly 300 ongoing jobs post‑construction. She said models project roughly $30,000,000 in annual regional economic stimulus tied to visitor spending in lodging, food and related services.

Project design elements described included: locating the 18‑hole links course primarily on upland perimeter areas while setting intact interdunal wetlands aside for preservation; expanding and ADA‑upgrading dune‑trail access; expanding the parking area at the end of Jetty Hole Road (the team said a traffic study shows a need for about 44 additional stalls); and a walking‑only links design that would permit carts only for ADA users.

On water and operations, the presenter said the developer plans a staged approach to nonpotable irrigation: refurbish an existing Northwell well to provide water for the first one to two years, then work with the city to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant for reclaimed water reuse. She added the course is designed for low irrigation and low fertilizer use and that groundwater monitoring would be part of project conditions.

On environmental risk and mitigation, the team said it plans both on‑site and off‑site mitigation. That includes converting borrow areas to wet meadows to restore interdunal habitat and scoping off‑site restoration on selected Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife properties to rehydrate former floodplain areas and expand fish habitat. The presenter said the project site currently does not host any listed species under the Endangered Species Act but acknowledged wetlands and invasive plants (Scotch broom, gorse) on the property and described an invasive‑control and monitoring plan.

The team addressed coastal erosion and federal beach‑nourishment funding, citing one AECOM study discussed in the presentation and saying strategic investment tied to the project could help secure future nourishment projects for South Beach. The presenter also described planning for tsunami evacuation uses of elevated clubhouse spaces and public amenities, and noted coordination with the Regional Fire Authority on fire‑response roles because state fire resources can be more than an hour away.

On governance and land status, the presenter said the arrangement would be a long‑term lease with parks retaining ownership (she said the lease term could be up to 80 years and would outline operator obligations and fiduciary responsibilities) and noted Washington State Parks already operates other concession agreements on park land.

The presenter asked the council and residents to review the EIS, provide comments before the May 23 close (or an extension if granted), and said, “we would love for you to potentially submit a letter of support” if the city views the project positively.

Next steps: the EIS comment period and subsequent permitting and land use review by state and local agencies, including the land use permit process and mitigation conditions described in the EIS.