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City staff pursuing permits to remove overwater structures after Ecology complaint; council told demolition funding is in 2025 budget
Summary
Staff told council an anonymous complaint alleging discharge from pilings prompted a Department of Ecology notice; the city has requested phased demolition of overwater structures from WSDOT and has included demolition in the 2025 budget while awaiting permitting approvals.
City staff told the Port Orchard City Council that an anonymous report to the Department of Ecology alleged an illicit discharge related to pilings and overwater structures along the proposed Bay Street pedestrian pathway. Staff said the complaint referenced creosote and possible paint debris.
Public works staff (Mr. Bridal) said he provided a virtual tour and invited Ecology’s stormwater permit coordinator to inspect the site. The city has formally requested phasing for the Bay Street pedestrian pathway through the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and is awaiting the Federal Highway Administration’s response. Staff told council the demolition of overwater structures is included in the 2025 budget, but the work cannot proceed until required permits are issued.
Why it matters: The Bay Street pathway project includes demolition of existing overwater structures and mitigation banking of removed pilings for future construction. Removing deteriorated structures could reduce ongoing debris into Sinclair Inlet, but the work is subject to state and federal permitting because it involves tidelands and overwater work.
Council members asked for timelines and staff said they had formal conversations with WSDOT and the federal agencies; however, they have yet to receive formal authorization. Staff noted the city’s local programs representative was recently out of the country, which contributed to a delay in response.
Details and next steps: Staff clarified the complaint was filed to Ecology and was anonymous; the city has observed material falling from some structures and acknowledged at least one partially detached beam. Power to the structures has been shut off, and poles and meters will be removed prior to demolition. Staff said they plan to bank mitigation from the removed structures in coordination with permitting agencies and will proceed once federal and state permits are granted.
