Cordova Harbor Commission votes against CAM 2 dock recommendation

The Cordova Harbor Commission voted Tuesday against recommending that City Council dispose of a waterfront parcel near the harbor entrance to seafood processor CAM 2, which wants to build a private dock on approximately 4,100 square feet of ATS 220. The vote sends the question to City Council, where the proposal still may be considered.

The Motion and Its Failure

The motion asked the commission to recommend Council dispose of approximately 4,100 square feet of ATS 220 under Municipal Code 7.40.060(b) and negotiate a lease or purchase agreement with CAM 2. On the roll call, the transcript records at least three no votes and one yes. The Planning Commission had also tied on the proposal before this special meeting.

CAM 2's representative framed the project as part of a broader effort already underway: "I just want to appreciate that this is just a small piece of a larger plan here that's already been in works, that is already moving forward in process with full city council support." The representative also said, "I think that we're pretty far along in this process and we'll keep going with that."

Safety at the Harbor Mouth

Several commissioners raised concerns about navigation. One commissioner, who said he does towing and vessel-assist work through that entrance regularly, described the challenge: "it's amazing looking at an overhead view how much— it looks like there's a lot of room there, but as you're moving through the tide, it's pretty tight." He added: "If you're coming around that corner, especially with a big old double, you know, big boat tied on the city dock, It really obstructs your view as you're approaching the harbor and obviously lots of tide run makes it really tricky."

Another commissioner noted: "I recognize that 500 feet does seem like a lot in the distance between Spike Island and this potential dock, but it's not just that distance. There's currents and then that navigational channel that is impeded." That same commissioner also raised concerns about dock lighting near the harbor entrance, saying lights at nearby facilities already make nighttime navigation difficult and that placing additional lighting right at the entrance would compound the problem. He also pointed to road infrastructure, noting the offload point is roughly three-quarters of a mile from the processing facility, putting additional pressure on city roads if production increases.

One commissioner said he would still be in favor of the proposal, and another said the submitted illustrations helped address questions about whether the dock would extend past the point of land. A third said he did not see a significant navigation impact, noting that other harbors in the state and along the West Coast have comparably tight entrances.