Clallam County approves $147,000 Department of Ecology grant and passes consent agenda

The Clallam County Board of Commissioners approved a grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology that provides $147,000 to the county's Marine Resources Committee to support Pinto Abalone and oil‑spill preparedness work. Staff read the grant details and said the award covers project administration, management, coordination and implementation.

"The grant agreement is for the amount of $147,000 and the grant period is from January 1 through 12/31/2027," staff stated while reading the consent materials. Commissioner Zayas moved to approve the agreement and a second motion carried by voice vote.

Earlier the board approved a seven‑item consent agenda that included approval of payroll and minutes, a letter of support request (item 1d), a resolution appointing Beverly Turner Burton to the Marine Resources Committee, a purchase order with Carousel Industries for the Avaya phone‑system annual renewal, and a call for a hearing on an amendment to the consolidated fee schedule for the clerk of superior court to be held April 2026. Commissioner Zayas moved the consent agenda and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Public comment on the consent items included both support and opposition. Ed Bowen, of Clallam Bay, told the board he does not support the letter of support for the 10000 Years Institute and said the organization has not been sufficiently transparent about spending. County staff responded that county dollars do not go to the organization, and that the group had presented budget information in prior work sessions.

The board did not authorize any land‑transfer or trust‑status changes at the meeting; transfers and the tribe's request for a letter of support remain under review and will be discussed in forthcoming sessions.