Kilisut Harbor bridge project deadline approaches

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The April 26 deadline to comment is approaching for the Kilisut Harbor bridge project, which would remove the causeway between Marrowstone and Indian islands, along State Route 116 in Jefferson County, to install a bridge and culverts.

The purpose of the project is to create a channel that would reconnect Kilisut Harbor (Scow Bay) to Oak Bay, according to Donna Frostholm, associate planner and lead wetland specialist for the Jefferson County Department of Community Development (DCD).

Frostholm noted that the DCD has already received some responses, although it declined to comment on them in detail, to avoid impacting any forthcoming responses from the public.

Frostholm added that, as part of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), the DCD has not only placed a legal notice in The Leader, but has also notified property owners within 300 feet of the proposed project, posted drive-by notice boards eastbound and westbound across the potentially affected areas, and contacted agencies ranging from the Washington State Department of Transportation to the area’s Native American tribes.

“We’re legally required to contact a broader scope of people because of SEPA,” Frostholm said. “We’ve also been in touch with fire departments and emergency services.”

Frostholm pointed out that responses from the public are technically due in to the DCD’s office – at 621 Sheridan St., Port Townsend, WA 98368 – by 4:30 p.m., April 26, but as long as they’ve been postmarked by that date, the DCD can be understanding.

The one legal requirement that does not exist for such a proposed project is a public hearing, so those who wish to be heard should be sure to send their responses to DCD promptly.

“This is the public comment period, right now,” Frostholm said. “After the community has weighed in, we ask the applicants to address the submitted concerns within 90 days. That’s the goal, although some take longer, and some take less. We won’t cancel their application if they run a bit over.”

A link to the submitted application can be found on Jefferson County’s website under “Departments.” Go to

co.jefferson.wa.us.