Port of Olympia Commission raises concerns over Deschutes Estuary communication

Port of Olympia Commission members criticized the lack of communication with the Washington State Department of Ecology ahead of a vote on a joint resolution regarding the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project. 

Commissioners brought up concerns regarding the timing of the project and where the remediation of Budd Inlet fits within the timeline at a meeting on Monday, Sept. 28.

Commissioners reviewed a nonbinding resolution that conveys the port’s support for Department of Ecology as it pursues state and federal funding for the project. 

The resolution also acknowledges management under Department of Ecology, which took over the role from the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services in 2025. 

It also expresses formal backing for state and federal funding efforts, as total costs are currently estimated to exceed $400 million, according to Port of Olympia Executive Director Alex Smith. 

The initiative involves the removal of 5th Avenue Dam in Olympia, as well as the restoration of 260 acres of estuarine and salt-marsh habitat in South Puget Sound.

Based on a 2022 environmental impact statement, the restoration of the estuary was deemed the best approach for the lake’s long-term management to address chronic water quality violations, sediment accumulation and invasive species. 

The Port of Olympia is involved as a member of a 2024 interlocal agreement that details the funding and governance of the project. 

The agreement, which includes Thurston County, Olympia, Tumwater and Squaxin Island Tribe, tasks each member with their own responsibilities. It also commits members to fund dredging every 12 years through 2050 to protect Budd Inlet, where water would flow into once the dam has been removed.  

The Port Of Olympia's annual payment would begin at $207,000 and rise incrementally to more than $500,000 by 2050. Except for the Squaxin Island Tribe, all other partners have corresponding financial contributions. 

Smith said the initial payment would trigger once funding for construction has been secured, which the parties hope to achieve by the end of 2027. 

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While acknowledging Department of Ecology’s efforts to secure funding, Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada said she was concerned about how the project has recently progressed without much input from Port of Olympia.

She said she has been talking with Smith about working with Department of Ecology and other partners to convene an executive committee to restart conversations. 

“I am not very pleased with sort of how little I've heard of what's happening in that group,” Vasavada said. 

Commissioners were particularly concerned about the timeline.

Commissioner Joel Hansen pointed out that the final approach for the remediation of Budd Inlet has not been fully designed.

The cleanup is a prerequisite to the removal of 5th Avenue Dam, as the inflow of sediment and water would significantly impact Port of Olympia. 

“I feel like we're going to open that dam and get punched in the face,” Hansen said. “Like we're not really sure what's going to happen, and the amount of money we have to deal with it may be insufficient.” 

Vasavada asked Smith if Department of Ecology plans to start construction after securing the necessary funding.  

Smith said the language of the resolution was ambiguous in that regard. 

“Ecology is making the argument that by getting to a certain funding … construction would be inevitable, and so then that will trigger the payments,” Smith said. 

Vasavada noted the resolution omits any reference to the remediation project. She said staff brought it up with Department of Ecology, but were told there was enough time to adjust the resolution. 

“When our staff brought it up, we were pretty much told, ‘Oh, the ship has sailed. This is already running. It's buttoned down. There's no room for changes,’” Vasavada said. 

“I believe the reasoning for that — I would infer — is that you're an agency who's on a timeline to try to get stuff ready for some trip to Congress, right? I think Ecology is doing a great job working with both the feds and our state to get money."

She added, “I do think we need to restore that muscle of how, as local jurisdictions, we lean in, we hear from each other.” 

The commission did not decide on the resolution during the meeting. Port of Olympia staff plan to bring it back for further consideration on Oct. 13.