County gets state money

The 2024 legislative session ended with passage of budgets that bring in millions for Mason County and the 35th District.

The state Legislature passed supplemental capital, operating and transportation budgets March 7 that include $16 million for local projects.

"The millions we were able to get in this capital budget will make a significant difference in our community. I am proud to be a member of this 35th District team and what we have been able to accomplish together," state Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, said in a news release.

MacEwen said he valued the partnership with fellow lawmakers, Reps. Travis Couture and Dan Griffey, both Republicans from Allyn, in securing the funding.

"These investments will bring real change that will go a long way for our kids, our families, and those most vulnerable in our community. I am grateful to my seatmates for this team effort," Griffey said in a joint statement with Couture.

"This money will help with school modernization, food security, economic development, infrastructure, recreation, and so much more. I am happy to be on a team committed to investing in rural communities," Couture said.

One of the largest local budget items is $800,000 for the Mason PUD 1 Lilliwaup Corner Project.

The money will be used to relocate utilities along U.S. Highway 101, where it curves at Lilliwaup, for fish barrier removal.

"It's a huge financial impact," PUD 1 General Manager Kristin Masteller told the Journal.

She said she set up a meeting with McEwen about the funding and also thanked Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Port Townsend, who represents the 24th Legislative District, which covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and a portion of Grays Harbor County.

"We are incredibly grateful to Senator Drew MacEwen and Representative Steve Tharinger for choosing to fund our project in the capital budget and look forward to more conversations with the Legislature and Department of Transportation on how to adequately plan for and fund these projects," Masteller said.

The work will include boring a tunnel and replacing the bridge at the corner so water, power and telecom lines can be moved.

The focus on culvert removal is due to a court case involving tribal fishing rights. A permanent injunction in 2013 requires Washington "to refrain from building or operating culverts under state-maintained roads that hinder fish passage," according to the state Department of Transportation's website.

WSDOT has secured funding for its own costs, but that does not include the associated utility relocation, according to the Washington Public Utility Districts Association.

"Cities and counties use funding from the state's Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board, but again, this covers transportation project costs but not the required utility relocation impacts. The consequence is that PUDs lack the funding for the relocation of utilities that are necessary to complete these projects," the association wrote in a Nov. 15 letter requesting funding in the 2024 supplemental capital budget to Gov. Jay Inslee and Office of Financial Management Director David Schumacher.

"While routine local utility relocation costs can be managed by PUDs, the size and complexity of major fish barrier removal projects on state highways or county roads are far beyond the financial capacity of PUDs," the letter states.

The cost of relocation projects along U.S. Highway 101 would exceed Mason PUD 1 and PUD 3's entire capital budget for both utilities, the association wrote.

The Lilliwaup Corner project is one of several utility line relocations that Mason PUD 1 is working on to accommodate WSDOT's work.

"We want to be good partners and help achieve good outcomes for fish, but we also have to protect our ratepayers from these costs escalating out of control that don't have anything to do with providing reliable utility services," Masteller said.

Another local project that received funding is the emergency repair of the Hoodsport dock.

Lawmakers allotted $41,000 for the project.

Hoodsport Port Commissioner Cody Morris told the Journal commissioners were "super grateful" for the money.

He said MacEwen, Couture and Griffey helped the port navigate the funding and the late Port of Allyn Executive Director Lary Coppola advised retaining a lobbyist.

Morris said commissioners were nervous because "very little funding" is available in the supplemental budgets.

One thing that helped the port's request stand out is community support, Morris said.

"Partnering with local businesses, having letters of support ... conveyed to the state we really need the dock for the community."

Dave Arbaugh, president of the Salish Sea Rotary Club of Mason County, told the Journal the Hoodsport dock is an essential part of the "vibrant" community.

"Since Salish Sea Rotary's mission specifically focuses on the stewardship of our community's natural resources, arts, culture and youth, an investment like this which touches all of those categories is something we applaud," Arbaugh said in an email.

The Hoodsport pier is important for the Puget Sound Estuarium's Pier Peer program and the community celebration Fjordin Crossin, he said.

The legislative funding will cover repairs, but Morris said the port is working towards having a regular maintenance fund to fix the annual winter damage to the facilities and eventually a replacement of the dock and pier.

People can now make donations to the port on the Hoodsport website, Morris said.

Commissioners have hired a contractor and once the repairs start they should be completed quickly, Morris said, though he couldn't give a firm time for completion.

"It will be repaired by the end of the year," he said, but hopes it happens sooner.

Other local projects that received money are:

■ $38,000 for the Chamber of Commerce Historical Archive Project (Grand Mound).

■ $412,000 for the Crosby Community Center Restoration Project (Seabeck).

■ $52,000 for the Goldsborough Switching Station Project (Shelton).

■ $47,000 for the North Mason Food Bank Relocation Project (Belfair).

■ $206,000 for the Shelton Multi-Use Trail Project (Shelton).

■ $90,000 for the Matlock Grange Safety & Structure Improvements Project (Matlock).

■ Over $5 million for school modernization, including planning grants and other money for the Griffin, Pioneer, and Southside districts.