Francis Naglich, left, with Ecological Land Services, discusses features of the Pleasant Valley Mitigation Site created by the Port of Chehalis to Michael Szerlog, with the Environmental Protection Agency, and Perry Lund, with the state Department of Ecology. The site is used to offset the filling of wetlands on port property.
Port of Chehalis commissioners have decided to decrease the amount of wetland impact requested in an application for the renewal of the port’s regional general permit, which lapsed in September of last year.
The permit is used to offset wetland fill on port-owned property at the Pleasant Valley Mitigation Site near Adna.
Port commissioners originally requested 40 acres of impact, but after the state Department of Ecology only certified 25.7 acres through its 401 certification process in relation with water quality, commissioners decided the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would likely do the same.
While the Army Corps issues the final decision on the permit, it likely would not be higher than Ecology’s recommendation.
“Right now, like they have said before, (the information) we have in doesn’t support 40 acres of impact, but likely supports 25.7 acres instead,” Randy Mueller, port CEO, said at a meeting on Thursday.
Mueller added Ecology’s certification of a lower amount of acres further reinforces the Army Corps to approve less than the original ask.
“If they can point to the same justifications that Ecology arrived at, it’s less controversial and is a more solid case if they are at the same number,” he said.
The port has used 8 acres at its Pleasant Valley Mitigation Site to offset wetland impacts on its properties. The 25.7 acres would allow the port to use up the rest of the mitigation available at the site. Currently, there are 33 acres at the mitigation site, which pencils out to 25.7 acres of impact because of a mitigation ratio set by the agency.
“My recommendation is to take the deal,” Mueller said. “It’s not perfect, but this is where we landed. I think we can finish the process with that amount of impact.”
The port’s five-year regional general permit expired in September of last year. During the renewal process, the port asked for additional wetland impact credits, but various agencies and governments such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Quinault Indian Nation and Ecology submitted comments in opposition of the increase.
Even after the port decreases its ask, it is uncertain whether the permit will be issued. The decision still lands with the Army Corps, which does not have a deadline.
The port now needs to submit responses to the Quinault Indian Nation’s comments to address the issues raised, along with a letter that reduces the acreage request.
“Those are the last two things they need from us,” Mueller said, adding he hopes a decision will be made by the end of the year.
The port’s 2018 budget does not include consulting costs to continue the work on the renewal of the permit.
“I told them that’s what I want for Christmas,” Mueller said. “… I can’t promise anything and the corps is abysmally slow, but I think we’ll get there.”
