Q: Do we need a new marina? A: The Port operates two marinas which are essentially full and have a waiting list of more than 170 boats. Over 70% of the Port’s moorage customers are from Whatcom County and it is projected the Port will need an additional 683 slips by the year 2015 to meet the growing demand for boat space.
Q: How much will the new marina cost and who is going to pay for it?
A: The new marina is estimated to cost $39.8 million dollars and will be paid for entirely by the Port’s boating customers and state cleanup grants. Cleanup grants are available because the Port is planning to convert Georgia-Pacific’s wastewater treatment lagoon into the new marina. The grants come from state taxes on the oil industry which can be used to help pay for cleaning up the lagoon. The Port’s boating customers will pay all other costs related to building the new marina. A new marina is a cost-effective way to help meet the growing demand for boating space and remove the highest levels of historic contamination from our waterfront.
Q: Did the Port look at using the wastewater treatment lagoon for anything else?
A: Yes…the Port looked at many ways to reuse the lagoon including as a park, for commercial use, as a storm-water treatment facility, and for aquaculture.
Q: Why build a new marina that only benefits 350-450 boat owners?
A: Bellingham is a boating community with over 90 businesses countywide supporting the maritime industry and providing valuable local jobs. Building a new marina will help revitalize the waterfront and serve as an economic driver for the redevelopment of New Whatcom.
Extensive public parks and trails are planned around the outside of the marina which will provide the community with over a mile of new waterfront access. Additionally, building a marina will create nearly 28 acres of new marine habitat for endangered salmon and other wildlife.
Q: Did the Port look at other places on the waterfront to build a new marina?
A: Yes…in 2004 the Port looked at six locations in Bellingham Bay for building a new marina—from Fairhaven to Little Squalicum. The Port evaluated construction costs, how many boats each site could hold, habitat and environmental impacts, the ease of access from land, the ability to obtain the required permits, and many other factors.
The lagoon is the best location for a new marina for just about every reason. Perhaps the best reason is the breakwater is already built so important salmon habitat will not be damaged by building a new breakwater. Restoring the lagoon to a functioning part of Bellingham Bay will actually create over 28 acres of new salmon habitat!
Q: Has a decision been made to build the new marina?
A: Yes…After a series of public meetings in 2004, the Port commission passed a resolution to condemn the lagoon for use as a marina.
Q: I’m a moorage customer at one of the Port’s existing marinas. Will my fees go up to pay for the new marina?
A: There will be an increase in moorage rates for the Port’s boating customers, but our rates are projected to remain below the statewide average.
Q: When will the marina be built?
A: The marina is estimated to be completed by 2013.
Q: I have a boat and need moorage. Can I get on the waiting list for the new downtown marina?
A: There will not be a waiting list for the new downtown marina until about a year before it opens. However, there is a waitlist available for the Port's current marinas for all slip sizes. A $50.00 non-refundable wait list application is required. Wait times vary. Applications and moorage information are available at the Squalicum Harbor Office: (360) 676-2542.
