The Westport City Council has given its full support to a lobbying effort aimed at convincing the federal government to locate a Doppler radar station in Westport or the surrounding area.
Two weeks ago, a resolution calling for a station in Westport died for lack of second at the City Council meeting. Several council members said they did not have enough information about potential impacts of the station to support the resolution.
Since then, Mayor Michael Bruce and City Administrator Randy Lewis have provided them with more information and, at the request of Councilwoman Desiree Dodson, Grays Harbor County Commissioner Al Carter spoke about the station at Tuesday's council meeting.
Although there are still unknowns such as where the station would be built and how its size could affect its neighbors the council approved the resolution Tuesday night, but said the station could be located somewhere on the South Beach, not just in Westport. Such a station is estimated to cost $9 million, which would be paid by the federal government.
Carter said many fishermen miss days at sea because of poor weather information, which in turn costs them money.
I want the radar for Grays Harbor County, Carter said. We are missing information for those who fish and it affects the (non-tribal) fleet, the tribal fleet and the shipping fleet. It's a very important piece of information we need to have. This is infrastructure we need for our coast.
Councilman Jim Mankin said after Tuesday's meeting he was not against the station in the first place.
Of course I'm for it, he said. He felt comfortable proceeding with the resolution Tuesday now that it is presented correctly.
Councilman Rex Bell, who brought the original resolution before the council, was again the first council member to speak up, moving to pass Tuesday's resolution.
We're endorsing the process and for the area to be considered for the placement of the Doppler radar station, Bell said after the meeting. It would be a good asset.
Carter said the resolution is only the first step in the process, as there will most likely be many informational meetings and public hearings if the station moves forward.
Doppler radar would give fishermen, weather forecasters and even tourists the ability to look at weather conditions off the coast more quickly and accurately. Community activists, coastal businesses and regional scientists have already voiced their support of placing the station in Westport, as they say radar coverage of the Northwest coast is inadequate.
Carter provided a photo of a Doppler station in an informational packet he distributed to audience members. The station resembles a large, white golf ball placed on top of a metal tower. The photo also shows outbuildings set up near the tower.
The County Commissioners, the Hoquiam City Council and the Aberdeen City Council have already passed resolutions supporting the station.
Carter said he has already spoken to Congressmen Norm Dicks and Brian Baird, and Sen. Maria Cantwell about the station.
Commissioner Mike Wilson plans to lobby the state's congressional delegation for the new station while he is in Washington, D.C., this week.
