Westport by the Sea Homeowners Association Phase 3 leadership is getting close to completing an Emergency Declaration permitting process that will allow a temporary fix for erosion issues in front of the Westport by the Sea condominium complex at the foot of W. Ocean Avenue in Westport.
This past fall and spring, erosion has destroyed more than 60 feet of uplands in front of the property, bringing the bankline to within 80 feet of the front of Buildings 7 and 8, the two northernmost structures in the complex.
As a part of the coastal erosion process, strong westerly winds combined with King and high tides resulted in wave action that carved a cove in front of building 8. That cove is now approximately 30 feet in width, leaving a scant 50-foot distance from its tip to the building foundation.
The Declaration requested that the City of Westport approve an emergency exemption from the City’s Shoreline Master Plan, which prohibits any man-made work on shorelines inside city limits without going through a lengthy months-long permitting process that includes public hearings.
Permit applications
The Declaration was submitted to the City of Westport on Tuesday of this week, along with all the necessary application paperwork for a Grade and Fill permit for up to 1,000 cubic yards of sand, a Shorelines Substantial Development permit and a SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) Checklist that includes specific project description information required by the state Department of Ecology.
Seeking guidance
Homeowners Association representatives met in Westport City Council Chambers on Feb. 17 with four representatives from the state Department of Ecology, three representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District Emergency Management Section, Grays Harbor County Emergency Management Deputy Director Chuck Wallace, Grays Harbor County Commissioner Frank Gordon, Mayor Rob Bearden, City of Westport department heads and City Clerk Treasurer Margo Tackett, who has been assigned to represent City Administration.
At that meeting, the Corps representative explained that since no municipal facilities are involved in this erosion situation they cannot assist in dune restoration, but may be able to participate in a larger coastal erosion solution program. County officials noted that their departments and board of commissioners are waiting for the City to act on approving an Emergency Declaration prior to determining if there is any appropriate action to be taken on their part.
Following that meeting, the Homeowners Association representatives, their engineer and agencies officials met at the site to determine what sort of action can be taken while complying with City, county, state and federal statutes.
Scope of work
The proposed emergency fix calls for trucking in up to 1,000 cubic yards of locally sourced sand to fill the erosion-created cove and to fill a two-foot deep swale created by water run-up in the uplands between the head of the cove and the lawn in front of building 8. All work will be done above the Mean High High Water (MHHW) line.
“We are asking to replicate the embankment in that area to the height it was prior to the creation of the cove and swale,” said Phase 3 Homeowners Association President, Bob Parnell. “What we need to do here is not only temporarily protect the structures, but also prevent wind driven woody debris from being propelled up from the eastern lip of that swale directly into and through the windows in those buildings, a very real threat to the people inside.” he said.
City endorsement
After consultation with City Attorney Wayne ‘Tiger’ Hagen, the Emergency Declaration request and permitting paperwork was endorsed by Mayor Rob Bearden and forwarded to the State Department of Ecology for its approval.
Project materials
In order to meet Department of Ecology materials restrictions for the fill project, the Homeowners Association will place a biodegradable geo-fabric on the ground in the cove and in the swale.
They will then add sand, which will then be ‘blanketed’ by a bio-engineered product known as coir mesh. Coir erosion control blankets are open weave, pure coconut meshes that have proven to be one of the strongest and most durable natural fiber surface erosion control solutions available. They are highly recommended on sites where erosion forces are harsh, including exposed sites such as uplands or coasts.
The mesh decomposes slowly to provide prolonged protection while allowing vegetation to grow through it and anchor itself.
Financing secured
At a Phase 3 Homeowners Association meeting held last Saturday, the board approved an expenditure of up to $25,000 for the temporary fix. The cost share between the Phase 3 Group - consisting of buildings 5 through 13, with the exception of the jointly owned clubhouse - and the Phase 1 & 2 Homeowners Association, representing buildings 1-4, will follow the Associations’ long agreed-upon standard 75% / 25% split, based on the number of property owners in each association.
Contractor chosen
The Homeowners Association solicited bids for the work from two local contractors – Brumfield Construction Inc. and Ken Miller Enterprises. Brumfield was awarded the contract.
Work is expected to start this weekend. Sand will be transported to the site using access from the complex parking lot between buildings 2 and 3. The sand will then be mechanically and hand spread. The access route to the erosion site will then be restored to pre-project condition, including the planting of coastal grasses.