Colfax (February 26, 2021) — The Port of Whitman County has received a $1 million construction grant from the Washington Recreation & Conservation Office to replace three of the original 1975 docks at Boyer Park & Marina.

Construction of new aluminum and fiberglass docks is expected to take place in fall 2022. The docks to be replaced include a fuel dock, finger dock and straight dock. They will serve transient boaters, or boaters temporarily mooring their vessels at the marina without a moorage agreement, typically for a day, night or weekend visit. The Boyer Park & Marina concessionaires estimate the marina will see at least 330 transient boaters throughout 2021.

The project also includes the addition of a navigation aid light for enhanced nighttime boater safety and the placement of an accessible vault toilet in the boat launch parking area. The restroom will remain open 24 hours a day through all seasons to serve the boating public.

The Port will contribute $1.1 million in matching funds, bringing the total project cost to $2.1 million.

Improvement of the Boyer Park & Marina docks has been listed in the Port’s planning documents for two decades. Port staff launched the project in 2016 by applying for an RCO planning grant for the docks’ design, which the Port successfully received in 2017.

“This construction grant is the culmination of four years of hard work by multiple Port staff and consultants,” said Properties and Development Manager Debbie Snell. “I want to express my sincere appreciation to the RCO Board for their support in making this long-awaited project possible.”

Concurrently with the grant-funded dock replacement, the Port plans to rehabilitate the four remaining docks. An eighth dock that must be removed due to its poor condition will not be replaced. The Port-funded project aims to extend the remaining docks’ useful life by 10 to 15 years. These docks will serve both long-term marina tenants and overflow transient boaters. The project cost has been estimated at $763,600.

Nestled on the Snake River, one mile downriver from Lower Granite Lock and Dam, Boyer Park & Marina serves as the only public marina in Whitman County. The next closest public marina is nearly 60 miles away in Clarkston. The Port operates the 140-acre park under a long-term lease with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and maintains it as a free day-use facility for the citizens of Whitman County.

“Boyer Park & Marina is one of the most beautiful sights on the Palouse, and we live in an incredibly scenic region of the world,” Executive Director Joe Poire said. “Over the years, the Port Commission has committed to improving this public asset by updating and expanding the park’s infrastructure. We are pleased that our docks will soon match the modern amenities of the upland portion of our park, where we’ve installed new cabins, RV sites and a playground structure in the past five years.”

For updates on the Boyer Park & Marina dock replacement and rehabilitation projects, please visit the Port’s Media Center and subscribe to the Port’s e-newsletter. 

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About the Port of Whitman County

The Port of Whitman County is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Whitman County through industrial real estate development, preservation of multi-modal transportation, facilitation of economic development and provision of on-water recreational opportunities.