Oak Harbor marina reels from permit delays as commissioners press for quick fixes

Oak Harbor27s Marine Advisory Committee spent much of its meeting pressing staff for ways to shore up marina revenue and speed projects delayed by federal permitting backlogs.

The harbormaster, Elise, told commissioners the marina27s planned dredging and breakwater rehabilitation work remains on a long timeline and that the city currently faces an immediate $100,000 payment on a roughly $518,000 repair package with American and Moffett Nickel while FEMA reimbursement and other grant funding are pursued. "We will be paying a $100,000 as of right now for the $518,000 worth of work," Elise said, adding that staff were working with FEMA to recover the deductible.

Permitting timelines are a central constraint. Staff warned that federal agency delays, tribal comment periods and new environmental issues (including concerns about invasive green crab and a potentially impacted sea star) have slowed approvals. Elise said a separate permit for roof and piling work could be submitted but would likely arrive later than the overall dredging permit; the committee was told to expect permits in the October timeframe if processes proceed on the long end. "Every agency is so backlogged20... we won't see that permit till probably January or February of next year," Elise told the commission, adding that additional tribal comments and species reviews are extending review times.

Commissioners argued the marina needs reconfiguration now to attract larger vessels and increase slip revenue. The chair pressed for removing roofs and replacing pilings to create larger slips, proposing the city pay from marina reserves so work could begin before dredging—an idea staff cautioned may yield limited gains without timely permits. "We can't wait until at the earliest September 2027 before we could start," the chair said, urging steps that could raise occupancy above 60 percent.

Financial questions animated the discussion. Commissioner Myron said the advisory board needs a monthly profit-and-loss statement to understand whether the marina enterprise fund is operating at a loss. "I'm convinced that this enterprise fund is operating at a significant operating loss," he said, estimating roughly $900,000 in annual revenues against several large expense lines and asking staff to produce monthly P&L reports for commissioners and Deputy City Administrator David Goldman.

Staff pointed to several near-term projects and funding opportunities intended to sustain operations: an electrical upgrade of West E dock (replacement pedestals and emergency shutoffs), restroom improvements and marketing efforts tied to upcoming events like the Anacortes Boat Show. Elise also said the marina will seek PIDP and EDA grant opportunities for dredging and development, and that the 2026 PIDP application is due June 1. The harbormaster said the EDA option under consideration is for a $4.2 million package but noted it would require mitigation planning.

The committee asked staff to prepare options that distinguish what can proceed without permits, what requires permits and what would require council or reserve funding. Next procedural steps include staff producing the requested financial reports and returning with legal and permitting clarifications during budget and council briefings.

The Marine Advisory Committee set its next meeting for June 8, 2026.