The crane from Redside Construction that anchored the stormwater outfall at the Port of Orcas
From the Port of Orcas
Redside Construction, under contract to the Port of Orcas, on Feb. 3 completed a long-anticipated anchoring of the north stormwater outfall. According to David Berry, Senior Project Manager for Redside (out of Port Gamble WA), the outfall is in no danger of moving for well into the next millennium.
Redside won the contract in competition with five other firms who bid on the project. The permits required in order to begin the project occupied a large amount of time of the project administration, done by WHPacific of Bothell. WHP had earlier administered the engineering, planning and contract management for the wildlife perimeter fence in 2002, airfield lighting improvements in 2003-4, and the helipad improvements in 2008. Surveying was completed by Curt Johnson of Island Surveying, and dirt work by Island Excavating.
Total cost of the project will approach $175,000, and will be covered by the port’s investments in the Local Government Investment Pool, funds which have been saved and invested over the years.
The project became one of increasing concern when the original saddle-shaped anchors were destroyed by time, tide and current action, which left the outfall unanchored north of the beachline, and resembled the famous Loch Ness Monster during a strong north wind. The old anchoring system pulled the 28” pipe eastward, out of its DNR easement, and began to erode the Eastsound Sewer and Water outfall pipe.
The new anchors are a set of seven pairs of galvanized I-beams, held together by a metal top saddle and I-beam arrangement. The seaward-most anchor will have warning buoys attached to warn boaters and kayakers about their presence.
