Cleaning up Dewatto campground

The Port of Dewatto closed out its regular meetings for the winter with an update from port campground coordinator Joe Newman, who said he visited the campground several times during the winter to clean up debris.

Newman told port commissioners Feb. 9 that a "large amount of debris" remains scattered through the campground and predicted it would take "quite some time" to get it removed.

Newman pledged to do as much cleaning as he could before the March 26 cleanup of the campground. The campground is scheduled to open April 1.

The public can join a volunteer cleanup of the Dewatto River campground at 1001 NE Dewatto Holly Road in Tahuya from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 26. The event is the port's annual preparation to get the campground primed for its opening.

"The campground took a good hit, with the snow and rainstorms we had," according to the port's Facebook page. "We have so much brush to clean up. Joe has been working very hard getting it picked up, but there is so much. There will be a pile of brush for campers to burn at camp, if wanted (but it) will need to be cut up."

Snacks and water will be provided.

"Please bring rakes and (wheelbarrows) if you want, (plus) gloves for raking, as blisters may happen," the event entry read online.

Cleanup and removal of debris have required Newman to use a chainsaw to cut tree limbs. He's burned some and the rest he's piled near the woods on the south end of the campground so campers can use the branches in summer.

Port commissioners acknowledged the campground was in "rough shape, with the rain and snowstorms" in January, so more than the allotted eight-to-10 hours per month were approved for Newman.

Port of Dewatto Manager Jeana Crosby reported on her meeting at the campground with FEMA representative Linda Tyson, who concluded the port should be able to submit its paperwork to FEMA headquarters, and should receive word in eight to 10 weeks on how much money the port will receive.

Tyson told Crosby she would try to have the state waive the amount the port is required to pay because the port is a relatively small entity.

Port Commissioner David Haugen said he bought screws and wood at McLendon Hardware and repaired one of the picnic tables damaged by fallen branches during the storm. He said more could use similar repair.

Newman expressed concern about the logjam in the river because it has grown worse "since the rain and snowstorms."

While the trees' root balls do help keep erosion down, Newman said it also changes the flow of the river.

Port Commissioner Ted Edwards called for the port to find a way to remedy the problem with the trees in the river, while Crosby has renewed her correspondence with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife's Biological and Environmental division.

The port offers rentals. The port noted that rentals include a double kitchen with dishwasher, microwave, stove and refrigerator, and bathrooms are accessible to people with disabilities, plus "we have plenty of tables."

Rentals are appropriate, according to the port, for events "from weddings to cooking meals, birthday parties, showers and game nights."

The port, Newman and his wife, Suzanne, the port's reservationist, thanked those who donated to a fundraising site that Crosby set up for the Newmans' adult son Eric, who died Feb. 17.

Because the port can't use money from its account, Crosby created a GoFundMe page titled "Help Joe and Suzanne bury their son."

"They both work very hard to help run the campground and keep it going," Crosby wrote on the GoFundMe page on Feb. 18. "Suzanne lost her only child yesterday. Eric was a grown adult, and he passed away in his home yesterday. Joe and Suzanne are undoubtedly devastated at their loss. They do not have the funds to cremate or bury him."

Author Bio

Kirk Boxleitner, Reporter

Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
[email protected]