The Port of Longview will join nine other Washington ports to hire a special liaison to expedite review of their permit applications, despite sentiment that paying for tasks required of federal agencies is a form of ransom.
In a 2-1 vote Wednesday, the port commissioners approved an agreement to fund part of the salary for a National Marine Fish Services and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service liaison. That person will be paid for by the ports but would work in the NMFS office in Lacey as a staff biologist and permit consultant and be answerable to both the agency and the ports.
In total, the position will cost up to $182,000 in salary and benefits. The 10 ports will share the costs, with the ports of Seattle and Tacoma fronting about 44%. The ports of Longview, Kalama and Vancouver will each pay about $8,200 this year and $16,500 next year.
The liaison will review federal permit applications for all 10 ports signed on to the agreement. That review would ensure the applications meet the federal Endangered Species Act criteria and don’t “lose their place in line” if any changes in the permit are necessary, said Lisa Hendriksen, director of environmental and planning.