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Port of Columbia outlines Milton Creek remediation and trail planning
Summary
A Port of Columbia representative detailed brownfield grant work and offered to partner with the commission on planning and remediation for a trail connection through Milton Creek toward Port Westward; the port proposed an IGA and assistance with planning grants.
Elliot Leven, North County operations and terminal manager for the Port of Columbia, briefed the commission on efforts to remediate contaminated property along Milton Creek and to develop a connected trail system from McCormick Park toward Port Westward.
Leven said the port has included the project in two EPA brownfield grant applications — one narrowly missed and a second currently pending — and that the property has historic creosote contamination from prior industrial use. He told the commission the port is willing to collaborate on planning grants and an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to map trail routes, to support grant applications and to coordinate next steps once funding becomes available.
Commissioners responded positively and suggested additional field visits; staff and commissioners agreed that a planning grant would help document flora, fauna and route options and that port staff and commission members Lucas and Scott should be kept in regular contact on next steps.
Leven emphasized the long-term nature of remediation and that the port has pursued prior EPA funding to begin cleanup; no funding or construction commitments were made at the meeting.
Next steps: the commission expects staff to coordinate with the port on an IGA concept and to include the project in future grant-search activity.
