Port of Dewatto addresses registration glitches

After the Port of Dewatto received $50 for a birthday party building rental in December, the port took stock of its campground’s cleanliness after the winter holidays.

Port commissioners David Haugen and Ted Edwards went to the campground to check on its sites and river’s edge, and aside from some beer bottles, Haugen found the campground to be clean of trash, although enough debris remains to be picked up during the campground’s cleanup day March 25.

Port Commission Chair Ray Mow suggested putting a couple of recycling bins at the campground, but that was rejected due to people illegally removing them.

Port Manager Jeana Crosby reported a glitch in registration for the campground this year, which began allowing people to register in late January, even though it’s not supposed to open for registration until March 1.

“In the long run, this is not the worst thing that can happen,” Crosby shared on the port’s Facebook page. “However, it starts the camping season way before it is needed. We are not a state park, so we do not offer the campground open year-round.”

Although she cannot remove those who have already made their reservations, “because we are happy to have you,” Crosby requested that next year campers not start scheduling until March 1, 2024.

“The manager needs time, during the winter months, to prepare for the new season, and to work on much-needed areas of the port that she is not able to complete during the busy season,” said Crosby, who acknowledged another glitch in the registration process, this one requesting a $100 deposit.

“Those of you who paid $100 will have the amount reimbursed, minus the campground cost and fees,” Crosby said. “The campers who only paid $100 and owe more, I will let you know.”

As is the case every year, Crosby asked campers to pay before they arrive, “and for sure before you set up,” to help facilitate the process for everyone involved, while also apologizing for the glitches.

“If you are ever concerned that it is not working correctly, please call the manager at the Port of Dewatto at 360-372-2695,” Crosby said. “The opening for actual camping is April 1, and the closing is Sept. 10, 2023.”

Although port commissioners had engaged in an extended debate during their first meeting of the year about how economically sound that date was, they agreed to keep this year’s closure date on the second Sunday of the month in September.

Crosby said that closure date would remain, unless “legitimate reasons” arise to change the dates.

Crosby said the reason it was brought up was to inform the reservationist and campground coordinator.

Meanwhile, Crosby thanked people for their “awesome response” to the campground cleanup scheduled for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for which volunteers are still “welcome and encouraged,” even as she noted that “this is a cleanup event, not a party or a social get-together,” so attendees should not bring any alcohol.

Author Bio

Kirk Boxleitner, Reporter

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