City says Bass Canal tubes will be removed next week; board flags leaning tree in Bell Canal

Ricky, the city liaison who briefed the Ocean Shores Freshwater Advisory Board, said crews verified there is no power to several tubes in Bass Canal and that three tubes at the north end and one at the south end will be removed next week.

"We were able to verify that there's no power to the, tubes on Bass. And so there's 3 at the north end and 1 at the south end, and we'll be taking all those out, next week," Ricky said.

Members applauded the maintenance and said removal should improve navigation. The board also discussed other maintenance needs such as improving deck grip at public launches; Ricky recommended a textured surface and an adhesive overlay to improve traction.

Separately, a member reported a leaning tree in the far north end of Bell Canal that "is coming out really far out now" and suggested the group might trim or remove it if permitted. Board members noted that tree work typically requires a permit through the planning office and that they will coordinate with planning staff and Marshall (a staff/contact referenced in the meeting) to determine whether removal is authorized.

The board asked the liaison to follow up on the tree and on deferred maintenance items such as additional spraying for pennywort and potential pilot aeration devices for the shallow canals. No formal city action was taken at this meeting; Ricky said he would check with planning and public works and report back.

Next steps: city staff will remove the identified tubes on Bass Canal next week and the liaison will check permit rules and follow up about the leaning tree and pending spray schedule.