Port approves boating grant match

--Debbie Snell photo

Some of the docks at Boyer Park and Marina are in need of replacement, as evidenced by the metal pieces peeling away here.

The Port of Whitman County may be one step closer to receiving a planning grant for the replacement of docks at Boyer Park & Marina.

Port commissioners last week approved a potential 28 percent funding match for the grant.

“We certified that we will match,” said Debbie Snell, Port properties and development manager.

If the Port receives the planning grant, it would come from the state recreation and conservation office.

That office received 44 applications for funds this year.

“We made it through the first phase, and there are 23 projects left standing,” said Snell.

To move on in the next phase, Snell said a step that needed to be taken was certifying that the Port would be able to provide matching funds in the event a grant is received.

The Port last year hired a consultant to help with budgeting for the planning phase, and the planning was estimated at $275,000.

Port commissioners unanimously voted last week to certify the matching funds at $77,000, or 28 percent of the total project cost.

“The minimum match requirement was 25 percent,” said Snell.

If the Port receives a grant, it will be using it to conduct a planning phase for the eventual replacement of the docks at Boyer.

“Our goal is to figure out what we're going to do and obtain all the permits for doing it,” said Snell.

Snell added that if the planning grant is obtained, another grant could become more of a reality.

“They really like to award construction grants to those they gave planning grants,” she said.

Snell said the next step in the process for the planning grant is for all 23 projects remaining to submit certifications of matching funds, and then the office will make recommendations to the legislature for the projects.

“They have the budget to award potentially all 23 projects,” said Snell.

Even knowing that, though, Snell said the Port is proceeding cautiously and not trying to get ahead of itself.

“It's getting a little more real,” said Snell.

The Port has previously been funded by the state recreation and conservation office twice.

Those projects included a river trail at Boyer and handicapped rail and dock systems at the docks.

In February of 2016, the Port held public meetings to receive input regarding potential future projects.

People attending those meetings indicated they wanted to see the docks improved.

Another suggestion was building indoor storage for boats.