| Port of Anacortes | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Anacortes, Washington |
| Details | |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Owned by | Port of Anacortes Commission |
| Type of harbour | Deep-water marine port |
| No. of berths | 3 marine terminals |
Port of Anacortes is a public municipal corporation located in Anacortes, Washington, established in 1926. It serves as a key maritime hub in the Pacific Northwest, facilitating commercial shipping, industrial development, and environmental stewardship.
Voters in Anacortes approved the formation of the Port district on November 2, 1926. The Port completed its first dock on January 1, 1931, and continued development plans despite the challenges of the Great Depression. The Port's new warehouses stored and shipped Skagit County oats, seeds, vegetables, and thousands of cases of salmon, canned milk, butter, and cheese from a Mount Vernon cannery. [1] [2]
In 2008, the Port was honored with the Washington Public Ports Association's "Port of the Year" award for its leadership in environmental cleanup and economic development. The Port has undertaken several remediation projects, including the cleanup of the Cap Sante Boat Haven and the Seafarers' Memorial Park. [3]
The Port operates a deep-water marine terminal situated on the Guemes Channel, one of only eight natural deep-water ports in the Pacific Northwest. Facilities include three marine terminals, the Cap Sante Marina, and the Anacortes Airport. The Port's mission is to stimulate economic development while balancing environmental responsibility. [4] [5]
In 2019, the Port of Anacortes was involved in a legal dispute with Frontier Industries, Inc. regarding environmental cleanup responsibilities under the Model Toxics Control Act. The Washington Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Port, affirming its right to seek contribution for cleanup costs from former property owners. [6]
In 2022, the City of Anacortes dismissed an appeal of a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit filed by Ashlan Chidester. The dismissal allowed the Port to proceed with its development plans. [7]