Recent cleanup efforts, the opening of a new marine environmental laboratory in Port Gamble, and belief in the importance of supporting marine science education may give our saltwater inhabitants a fighting chance for their life in Kitsap.

Pope & Talbot established the lumbering center along Hood Canal in 1853 and operated one of the state’s largest industrial and shipping centers for many years. The New England-style town is a National Historic Landmark and the last intact company-owned mill town in the Puget Sound region. The 120-acre property now belongs to Pope Resources, created in 1985 when Pope & Talbot spun off its Washington timberland and development properties.

Last January the two entities received the Environmental Excellence Award from the Department of Ecology — the state’s highest environmental award — for their work in cleaning up contamination throughout the town. The award recognizes leadership, innovation and extraordinary service to protect, improve or clean up the environment.

On July 21st, they introduced the newest commercial tenant, Weston Solutions, in an open house celebrating the construction and opening of their new offices and a 4,000 square foot marine environment testing laboratory. The event was attended by local government officials, representatives of Olympic College, Senator Phil Rockefeller, agencies, and area residents.

“As you know, we have been preparing Port Gamble for the future,” said Jon Rose, president of Olympic Property Group, the real estate subsidiary of Pope Resources. “This has included performing an environmental clean up, increasing festivals and events, and converting many of the buildings to commercial uses. We are also beginning the master planning process for Port Gamble’s redevelopment. This effort will include an intense investigation of educational themes and concentrations.”

Rose hopes that one such concentration will be Marine Environment which would include developing such facilities as an artificial reef, dive shop, marine related research and industry laboratories, and various forms of marine related recreation. Rose has been a vocal supporter of recent efforts to keep the doors open at the former Poulsbo Marine Science Center, joining many business and community leaders as well as local education officials.

The new Weston Solutions facility is the first laboratory to be developed here and takes advantage of Port Gamble’s central location in Puget Sound and the Hood Canal’s high water quality. Weston will be serving customers around the Puget Sound and West Coast from this facility due to open this month.

“We believe this is timely in light of the focus on problems affecting the health and well being of Lower Hood Canal and efforts being undertaken to understand them. It’s location in a National Historic Landmark District will add to its distinction. Weston will join marine contractor Caicos Corporation on the former mill site in Port Gamble,” added Rose.

The companies began the cleanup work after the town’s 150-year-old lumber mill closed in 1995. They have completed seven cleanup projects so far, under Ecology’s Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP). The VCP enables property owners to conduct independent cleanups and receive certification from Ecology when the work is complete. The two firms have cleaned up four landfills and a shoreline area. Work is under way at the 27-acre mill site. Four cleanup projects in the town site — a gas station, auto repair shop, mortuary and maintenance building — are nearing completion. Preparations are under way to clean up marine sediments in Port Gamble.

“Both companies have shown tremendous dedication and initiative to remove contamination, some of which dates back to decades before environmental laws existed,” said Ray Hellwig, Ecology’s regional director, “This site encompasses an entire company town and has presented an unusual variety of contaminated areas,” Hellwig added. “But thanks to the commitment of these companies, we’ve seen a remarkable transformation.”

“We would like Port Gamble to serve as proof that environmental stewardship and responsibility can also be good business. Now that we’ve cleaned up remnants of the past, we are excited about our future and putting this historic economic property back into productive use,” said Rose.

Contact Larry Altose, Department of Ecology, 425-649-7009 for more information on the VCP program, DeeAnn Lindsley, Pope & Talbot Inc., 503-220-5534, or Jon Rose, Olympic Property Group, a Pope Resources subsidiary, 360-394-0519 for information on Port Gamble.

In Other News…

As reported in last month’s issue of the KPBJ, efforts are underway to raise funds to reopen the doors of the former Poulsbo Marine Science Center supported by legions of community leaders, the Suquamish Tribe, several business owners, environmental groups, Poulsbo Historical Society, local agencies, schools, government officials, and area residents.

Leading the charge this month is Poulsbo’s icon and civic leader Bill Austin, president of the Bight of Poulsbo, Board Director of the Liberty Bay Foundation, and the original sponsor of Poulsbo’s MUDSTOCK — a popular festival of music, family entertainment, food, beer gardens, and summer nights.

“When that center closed it affected the lives of so many young people. One mother told me her son felt as if his future had been taken away,” said Austin. “When he heard that we were going to revive MUDSTOCK to raise funds for the Marine Science Center he perked right up like a drooping plant that just got a drink of water,” as Austin relayed the mother’s story.

All proceeds from the fundraiser and individual donations will go towards continued Marine Science programs, as well as to encourage partnerships with the Poulsbo Historical Society and others for the common goals of marine and maritime education.

There will be 16 bands: Freddie Pink & the Hightops, Mercurius, Been There Done That, Unusual Suspects, Lost Shaker Assault, Mardi Jam, 50-50, Roadhouse, The Hatchet Wounds, What’s Cooking, Hometown Band, The Moonlighters, Joey Craig, The Ilk, Somebody Stop Melvin, and Katie Webster.

The event will be held from 3 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday Aug.12 and again on Saturday the 13th from noon until 10:30 p.m. at the corner of Highway 305 and Hostmark. Parking is available at the business park behind Bad Blanche, as well as at the North Kitsap High School a short distance up the street. Go to the official website for up to date information and background at www.poulsbomudstock.com or call the Bight of Poulsbo at 360-779-3080.