March, 2025 Update

Pier 2 West is a vital part of the Port’s infrastructure, supporting the commercial fishing fleet and seafood processing industry. Originally constructed in the 1940s, the pier has suffered from decades of wear, leading to deteriorating pilings and seawall damage. Due to safety concerns, the Oregon Department of Transportation imposed weight restrictions on the structure in 2017.

To address these critical issues, the Port has made the rehabilitation of Pier 2 West a top priority. The project is essential for sustaining seafood processing operations and ensuring the long-term economic stability of the region. In 2023, the Port secured significant funding, including a $1.2 million preconstruction grant from Business Oregon and $25.3 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).

In fall 2023, the Port Commission selected PND Engineers to lead the design for the rehabilitation project. The project has been progressing steadily through design and permitting phases in 2024 and is expected to reach the 90% design phase by the end of March, 2025. Under federal rules, the remaining design work must wait until the completion of the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) review.

Permitting and Mitigation Phase

To secure the necessary permits, the Port must first complete three key documents, all of which are now complete or nearly complete:

• Environmental Assessment – Led by Campbell Environmental.
• Joint Permit Application – Required for regulatory approval.
• Mitigation Plan – A strategy to offset environmental impacts.

As part of the mitigation plan, the Port hired Pacific Habitat Services (PHS) to evaluate all Port-owned properties for potential mitigation sites. PHS identified one viable site on the east bank of the Skipanon River in Warrenton. However, the City of Warrenton opposed the Port’s application for conditional use, citing concerns outlined in a Staff Report drafted by the former city planner and released to the Port only a week before the hearing.

While the Port prepared a detailed response addressing the report’s conclusions, Planning Commission members did not receive copies until after the meeting had already begun, preventing fair consideration. Over-relying on the Staff Report, the Planning Commission denied the application after minimal deliberation.

Subsequent communication with the city indicated that its primary objection stemmed from a 44-year-old agreement to which the city was a party. The Port has carefully reviewed this agreement and maintains that the proposed use fully conforms to its requirements.

To avoid delays, the Port withdrew its appeal and submitted two new conditional use applications:

• One for the original mitigation site.
• One for an alternative state-owned site north of the original location.

The original site remains the best mitigation option and is the only feasible Port-owned site for the mitigation. Approval by the city is critical to the success of this project. The Port encourages all parties with an interest in the rehabilitation of Pier 2 West to reach out as soon as possible to the Warrenton Planning Commission and let your opinion be heard (https://www.warrentonoregon.us/pc).

Despite these challenges, the Port remains committed to completing this critical rehabilitation project to ensure the long-term viability of Pier 2 West, the success of seafood processing operations, and continued economic growth in the region.