Old piers could come down in WA
By Terry Murry on Monday, March 20th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Legislation that would give the Washington State Department of Natural Resources the authority to take action against derelict aquatic structures like unused piers, pilings, and decrepit marinas from state waterways has passed in both the House of Representatives and Senate.
“This important legislation will allow us to remove pollution from our environment, support endangered species, and return economic vitality to our waterfronts,” Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz said.
House Bill 1378 and its companion, Senate Bill 5433 provide $19.75 million in capital funding to tackle what Franz calls the “filthy four” — piers in Tacoma, Anacortes, Neah Bay, and Ballard. Those are industrial areas that Franz says threaten salmon habitat and public safety. Franz said in addition to the funding to remove the structures, the legislation gives the department the authority to remove them, a power they didn’t have before.
Franz said the department has recognized another dozen derelict aquatic structures throughout the state and said this legislation allows local governments and nonprofits to use DNR’s expertise to get hazardous structures out of the state’s waterways.
The bill still must be signed by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Photo of Dickman Mill in Tacoma, one of four piers the Department of Natural Resources is planning to remove
