Lummi Island Ferry - Whatcom Chief

[EGfleet]

Kremen reports progress in Lummi Island ferry talks
JOHN STARK - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
March 25, 2011

After close to seven hours of negotiations with Lummi Nation over a new lease for the Lummi Island ferry dock, Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen said "real progress" has been made.

The Thursday, March 24, negotiating session took place in a meeting room at the tribe's Silver Reef Hotel and Casino. Kremen said another negotiating session has been set for 9 a.m. Monday, March 28, in Kremen's own Whatcom County Courthouse conference room.

"The fact that we're having another meeting on Monday is a sign that we're making progress, and I am hopeful for a resolution," Kremen said.

He added that the Whatcom County Council is prepared to deliberate on a new ferry lease proposal as soon as Tuesday, March 29, although there is no guarantee that negotiators for the tribe and county will have a proposal ready that soon.

Also on Monday, the tribe has invited island residents to a dinner planned for the Wexliem Center on the reservation, and islanders say tribal officials will take their questions during that event.

Lummi Nation Chairman Clifford Cultee said he preferred not to comment because he did not want to say anything that could undermine the progress negotiators made Thursday.

The ferry is the lifeline to the mainland for 900 island residents, and its mainland terminal is on the Lummi reservation. The county's last 25-year lease with Lummi Nation expired in February 2010.

The county and the islanders are facing an April 10 deadline for a new lease deal, set in a Feb. 10, 2011, letter from Cultee. That letter said the county's final offer was not acceptable and he expected the county to end its ferry operations on that date.

As of Feb. 10, the tribe and the county were far apart in ferry lease negotiations. Neither side has announced any new offers since that time.

As of February, the Whatcom County Council had offered $200,000 a year for 25 years, with annual inflation adjustments.

At that time, the tribe was seeking $200,000 per year over 35 years for the dock site, with inflation adjustments, plus an additional $110,000 per year for upland acreage, also with inflation adjustments. The tribal proposal would eliminate the $110,000 upland lease payments if the county agrees to provide an additional $8 million for traffic safely improvements.

The tribe's most recent known proposal also called for a $4 million payment from the county if a proposed tribal marina project must be designed to accommodate the county ferry. Tribal officials say the ferry operation will increase the cost of the marina project by more than $4 million.

But County Council members said they could not afford the cost of the Lummi proposal.

Read more: www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/03/25/1933849/kremen-reports-progress-in-lummi.html#ixzz1HeQDDMB7

[EGfleet]

Lummi Nation extends ferry lease deadline to May 15
JARED PABEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Lummi Nation and Whatcom County made “substantial progress” Wednesday, April 6, in negotiations over the Lummi Island ferry dock, with a deadline being pushed back to May 15.

Officials said they’re close to reaching a deal acceptable to both sides. The tribe and county have another negotiating session scheduled for Wednesday, April 13.

“Substantial progress has been made in negotiations toward the Nation’s goal of making traffic conditions safer for everyone,” Richard Jefferson, the Lummi Nation planning director, stated in a press release. “And negotiations are continuing.”

County Council member Sam Crawford said they’re “very, very close” to a deal.

“We continue to make progress in terms of coming to a compensation for the lease that is agreeable to the tribe and the county,” he said. “I’m very optimistic.”

Jefferson and Crawford participated in negotiations at the County Courthouse building Wednesday.

The Whatcom Chief ferry is the lifeline to the mainland for 900 island residents, and its mainland terminal is on the Lummi Reservation. The county’s last 25-year lease with Lummi Nation expired in February 2010.

The county and the islanders were facing an April 10 deadline for a new lease deal. The deadline was set in a Feb. 10, 2011, letter from Tribal Chairman Clifford Cultee. That letter said the county’s final offer was not acceptable and Cultee expected the county to end its ferry operations on that date.

On Wednesday, Lummi Nation said that over the past three weeks the sides have discussed improving traffic safety on Haxton Way and other areas impacted by traffic from islanders going to and from the ferry terminal at Gooseberry Point. Lummi Nation expects that Haxton Way, the primary road for a majority of reservation residents and for islanders, will be made safer through the lease agreement.

As of February, Lummi Nation and the county were far apart in ferry lease negotiations. The County Council had offered $200,000 a year for 25 years, with annual inflation adjustments. At that time, Lummi Nation was seeking $200,000 per year over 35 years for the dock site, with inflation adjustments, plus an additional $110,000 per year for upland acreage, also with inflation adjustments. The Lummi proposal would eliminate the $110,000 upland lease payments if the county agrees to provide an additional $8 million for traffic safety improvements.

The Lummi Nation’s most recent known proposal also called for a $4 million payment from the county if a proposed tribal marina project must be designed to accommodate the county ferry. Tribal officials say the ferry operation will increase the cost of the marina project by more than $4 million.

On Tuesday, April 12, a county attorney will brief the County Council on negotiations. It’ll take place in a closed-to-the-public session.
Reach Jared Paben at 360-715-2289 or jared.paben@be

Read more: www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/04/06/1955219/lummi-nation-extends-ferry-lease.html#ixzz1Ir5Jw15V

[EGfleet]

My bad. I forgot to post this one.

Another bargaining session ends with no new deal on Lummi Island ferry
JOHN STARK - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
21 April 2011

BELLINGHAM - Negotiating teams from Whatcom County and Lummi Nation concluded a three-hour negotiating session Wednesday, April 20, without reaching agreement on a new lease to keep the Lummi Island ferry operating.

But Lummi Nation Chairman Cliff Cultee was upbeat.

"Substantial progress has been made over the past few meetings," he said, adding that tribal and county staffers would continue to work on remaining issues between now and the next session scheduled for May 9. He declined further comment.

Whatcom County Council Chairman Sam Crawford also was guarded in his remarks, but he agreed that the two sides have made some progress.

Crawford said the county has now agreed to commit "millions of dollars" over and above a proposed $200,000 annual lease payment to the tribe, to pay for traffic safety and pedestrian improvements in and around the Gooseberry Point car ferry dock on tribal land that links more than 900 island residents with the mainland.

Crawford declined to specify how much money is being discussed. He also declined to be specific about what is separating the county and tribe at this point, after he indicated that the two sides are at or near agreement on the cost of a new lease deal.

"We continue to have some points of disagreement regarding the use of county funds that are being discussed," Crawford said. "Now our discussion is centered around how those dollars can be used.

"We are really, really close here," Crawford said. "Once we get past this hurdle of how money can be applied, I think we'll have a deal."

County Executive Pete Kremen expressed similar views, although he said that Wednesday's session did not make much new progress toward a deal.

"They are not that far apart, but we just can't get to yes quite yet," Kremen said. "We were unable to gain any ground, actually. We were not that far apart to begin with."

Asked if the issues surrounding Lummi Nation's plans for a new Gooseberry Point marina were among matters still to be resolved, Kremen acknowledged that was the case. He declined to be more specific.

In the past, tribal officials have said the continued operation of the ferry dock at its present location would likely interfere with the tribe's marina construction plans, although those plans have yet to be fully developed and funded.

While the next negotiating sessions is just six days before the tribe's May 15 deadline for reaching a settlement, the tribe has previously extended the deadline.

The county's 25-year lease expired in February 2010.

Read more: www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/04/21/1978174/another-bargaining-session-ends.html#ixzz1LCwryhAS

[EGfleet]

Whatcom County officials balk at ferry proposal; more negotiations scheduled
JOHN STARK - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

BELLINGHAM - A lease proposal for the Lummi Island ferry dock did not get the support of a majority of Whatcom County Council members after it was presented in a closed session Tuesday, May 10.

Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen said County Council members put together a counterproposal that was submitted to Lummi Nation by telephone on Wednesday, May 11. Another face-to-face negotiating session is being scheduled between county and tribal officials for Friday.

Kremen declined to say how far apart the two sides are on the terms for a new long-term lease for the ferry dock.
Click here to find out more!

The county's Whatcom Chief car ferry is the link to the mainland for about 900 island residents. Its mainland dock is on the Lummi Reservation. The tribe and the county have been trying to reach a deal on a new long-term lease for that dock since before the last lease expired in February 2010.

The tribe has set a deadline of Sunday, May 15, for a new agreement. Kremen said he was hopeful that tribal officials would agree to extend that deadline if necessary. That was what happened when the last deadline loomed in April.

Tribal Chairman Cliff Cultee was not available for comment Wednesday.

As of February 2011, the County Council had been offering to pay the tribe $200,000 a year for 25 years, with annual inflation adjustments.

The tribe had offered 35 years but had asked for additional sums to cover leases of upland acreage next to the dock, as well as millions of dollars in safety and pedestrian improvements in and around the dock.

The ferry dock's possible future impact on tribal plans for a Gooseberry Point marina also has been mentioned as a sticking point in the past.

Three council members serve on the negotiating committee: Ken Mann, Bill Knutzen and Sam Crawford, the council chairman.

Details of what is on the negotiating table are not being made public. But a majority of the seven-member County Council would have to approve any negotiated deal in a public session.

Read more: www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/05/12/2010611/whatcom-county-officials-balk.html#ixzz1M9Jw1ES4

[EGfleet]

County will pay tribe $200K a year for Lummi Island ferry lease
County also vows to improve roads
JOHN STARK - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

A day after announcing an "agreement in concept" on a new 35-year lease for the Lummi Island ferry terminal at Gooseberry Point, Whatcom County and Lummi Nation have issued a joint press release that outlines the cost to the county.

There are no surprises in the release emailed Wednesday, May 18. The county will pay the tribe $200,000 a year, with adjustments based on inflation - the same amount the county had been paying under an interim deal after the previous long-term ferry lease expired in February 2010.

The county also has committed to what the press release calls "long-term improvements" to traffic safety in the ferry landing area, eventually totaling another $6 million. The release indicates that the $6 million would serve as matching money that would be spent when grants from other sources become available.

"This county commitment will be used by the parties to leverage grants or other funds from non-county sources to secure the funding needed to construct the priority transportation improvements," the joint statement says.

"The amount to be spent from the county road fund for these improvements during the term of the lease falls within the amount of road fund tax revenue collected from within the boundaries of the Lummi Reservation, and will provide the Lummi Nation with both the certainty that traffic concerns of particular urgency will be addressed."

The release also says the county has agreed to "several low cost traffic safety improvements that would be implemented in the very near future," without providing details.

Attorneys for the tribe and county are drafting the language of a final agreement that will be submitted to a vote of the Whatcom County Council and Lummi Indian Business Council, the release says, adding that the final agreement will get "public review and comment prior to final action."

After more than a year of start-and-stop negotiations, Lummi Nation and the county reached the "agreement in concept" following a Tuesday, May 17, negotiating session. That breakthrough appears to clear the way for continued operation of the car ferry dock on the Lummi Reservation. About 900 island residents depend on the ferry to get them to their jobs and their kids to school.

The $200,000-a-year price tag on the deal appears to ease the immediate threat of more hikes in ferry fares. The estimated $200,000-a-year lease cost was built into the cost estimates that resulted in steep fare hikes that took effect in January.

Read more: www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/05/19/2020405/tribe-county-release-cost-figures.html#ixzz1Mni49RIg

[SolDuc]

Last Friday I had the pleasure of riding the Whatcom Chief to Lumni Island and back. If you were wondering, that's from where the flagship came from.
While we were waiting for the boat to take us back to the mainland, I did some video work. I did it with the big DSLR rather than with one of my brother's entry level point and shoots, and I sure did enjoy the quality of the video that came out. That will encourage me to do more video work with the DSLR, whatever if I don't get a shot of the Kaleetan passing us...

- Excuse the bad stability (for this kind of video). I don't have the best tripod ever and it was a bit windy out
- Notice the Gillig Advantage (Hybrid version) passing by the terminal, while the Whatcom Chief is loading.

[SolDuc]

So over to pictures of the Whatcom Chief from my ride on her to and from Lumni Island on November 29th. I don't have any good pictures from the inbound trip, but sure do from the outbount trip.
First the small ferry departing the Island, as seen from the little beach park/boardwalk just north of the terminal.

MV Whatcom Chief at Lumni Island - Whatcom County Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr

Next up, a still from my video above, with her underway to Lumni:

MV Whatcom Chief en-route to Lumni Island - Whatcom County Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr

Next up some onboard pictures:
The Passenger cabin and Bridge:

Cabin and Bridge, MV Whatcom Chief - Whatcom County Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr

Going out for some Arkellian photography...

Bulwark Name, MV Whatcom Chief - Whatcom County Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr

Even more Arkellian photography, but not an overboard shot, but rather a shot of her life ring. The lifering is missing a few letters...

Lifering, MV Whatcom Chief - Whatcom County Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr

And last but to least, the proof that's she is a Spaulding. Yes, you read that right, she's a Spaulding, perhaps the least know of all. When the ship was built Phil already had seen his first big ship completed, the Coho, and her two almost identical copies, the Sidney and the Tsawwassen were built. He was most likely working on AMHS' first ships, the Blue canoes, as well as BCFs' 7-sisters.

Nameplate, MV Whatcom Chief - Whatcom County Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr

[FNS]

This is a perfect day to get a car wash.  Right after a stormy crossing with plenty of salt spray wetting your machine.  This video, found on YouTube, shows the little WHATCOM CHIEF conquering the rough seas on what normally should be a routine short crossing:



ENJOY, AND WATCH IN FULL SCREEN! 

[FNS]

... And, what do you do to recover from a rough voyage?

You attend a fun local Lummi Island parade, complete with (I'll just let you enjoy this video in its entirety to find it).



WATCH IN FULL SCREEN!

[Elwha on the Rocks]

Whatcom Chief just got back from her annual dry docking, and according to our family that lives on Lummi Island, she was painted green and blue, most likely in honor of the Seahwaks. Darn, I liked it when she was red. We're going to Lummi next weekend, so I'll see it for myself, and hopefully get some photos.

[EGfleet]

Hmm...this adds an interesting wrinkle to things...


Lummi Nation moves forward with plans for marina at Gooseberry Point

BY RALPH SCHWARTZ

The Bellingham HeraldFebruary 13, 2015

LUMMI RESERVATION — A marina for Lummi Nation fishermen at Gooseberry Point is still years away, but Whatcom County officials this year will begin working on a plan to accommodate the marina by altering the Lummi ferry dock.

The county will not be required to relocate the dock, but it likely will need to be realigned, as outlined in the lease that allows the county to use Gooseberry Point as a ferry landing. The tribe’s preferred marina design includes a floating breakwater directly in front of the dock.

“The county has an obligation to realign the approach of the ferry at our cost, but other aspects of the lease remain in force,” county Executive Jack Louws said in an email on Wednesday, Feb. 11, to The Bellingham Herald. “We will strive to do this with a minimum disruption in schedule.”

The 20-car ferry runs 365 days a year, serving visitors to Lummi Island and the island’s 900 residents.

The lease obligates the county to start planning a redesign of the dock when the Lummis apply to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build the marina. The tribe anticipates submitting that application in June, according to a Jan. 26 letter from Lummi Chairman Tim Ballew to Louws.

In an interview, Ballew emphasized that marina planning is in the earliest stages. The Lummi Indian Business Council, with input from tribal members, must approve a marina plan before submitting the application to the Corps, he said.

“We’re focusing on what would be the appropriate design for safe harbor and preserving the environment,” Ballew said.

Lummi planners opted for a breakwater over dredging to minimize the impact to eel grass beds, the letter said.

The first phase of marina construction includes 100 slips, with expansion to 200 spaces for boats in a later phase. The marina primarily would be for tribal fishermen, Ballew said. Demand for dock space is high for the Lummis’ 400-boat fishing fleet, the chairman said.

The federal permit for a marina in Fisherman’s Cove, just east of Gooseberry Point, is expected in early 2017. The tribe will spend two or three years after that seeking funds for marina construction, the Jan. 26 letter said.

County and tribal officials three years ago concluded contentious negotiations over the current 35-year lease for the ferry dock. In addition to a $200,000-per-year lease payment, the county is paying the tribe $6 million in three installments for road improvements near the landing.

The expensive lease relative to the value of the property is meant to pay for the impact of increased traffic on the reservation and the ferry’s disruption of tribal fishing grounds, council member Sam Crawford said on the day in 2011 when the council approved the lease.

Ballew said his letter to Louws is part of the Lummis’ effort to keep the line of communication with the county open as the tribe moves forward with marina planning.

“We’re a part of a growing community and want to contribute to improved communication between us and the county,” Ballew said. “They need to plan just like we do.”

Louws said he expects county officials to keep Lummi Island residents informed about development of the marina through the Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee.

“This process is just starting, and I am committed to updating the council and community regularly,” Louws said.

[Elwha on the Rocks]

Here's a video I did on the five minute crossing from Gooseberry Point to Lummi Island on the Whatcom Chief back in February. It includes the departure from Gooseberry Point, an onboard tour, and the arrival at Lummi Island. Enjoy!

[paulvanb]

Apr 5, 2015 13:19:26 GMT -8 Elwha on the Rocks said:

Here's a video I did on the five minute crossing from Gooseberry Point to Lummi Island on the Whatcom Chief back in February. It includes the departure from Gooseberry Point, an onboard tour, and the arrival at Lummi Island. Enjoy!

Nice video. Hopefully, we will see the Hiyu there soon with the Chief as the standyby.

[Kahloke]

Some pics of Whatcom Chief and Gooseberry Point from last week (05-06-2015):

[elwharust]

The whatcom chief is at lake union shipyard next to the elwha

[Elwha on the Rocks]

Procrastinated posting this until now, but here's the little Whatcom Chief shuttling from Gooseberry Point to Lummi Island under Mount Baker back in May. As the only ferry that was under the "essential travel" category for me during the lockdowns I've really come to appreciate my rides to and from the island on this boat!

[Blue Bus Fan]

What on county is looking at new vessel for Lummi Island Ferry:

www.whatcomcounty.us/3432/New-Ferry-Vessel

[Elwha on the Rocks]

Thank you for sharing this! Very exciting to see this next chapter taking shape for Lummi Island. Some interesting stuff in that Build Grant document. It says that the vessel should be capable of carrying 34 cars and 150 passengers, a hefty upgrade from the current 20/100 capacity of the 'Chief. They also claim that the new vessel will only need to go into drydock every five years, with shorter dockside maintenance happening every year. If this comes to fruition it would be very nice for islanders as it would reduce the amount of time the vessel needs to be oos each year. Vessel should be in service by 2025, though as we all know that could easily get pushed back. Interestingly, as the alternative to a new vessel they suggest adding a 20 foot section to the middle of the Whatcom Chief. Of course, this would make very little sense to add to a nearly 60 year old boat, but it's fun to imagine what it would look like.


Looks like they are also planning to upgrade the Lummi Island terminal with a two lane system similar to Gooseberry Point; these will wind around the outside of the restrooms. Currently, there is only one lane that goes on the inside of the old restroom/crew break room building.


Overall, I'm very impressed. Based on my discussions with the crew in the past, they seem to have done an excellent job in listening to their input. There's still a lot of work to be done in order to get this project through, but it should be a very nice and necessary upgrade. Whatcom Chief is very much overrun in the summer months, not to mention that it is not up to ADA standards and the cardeck is tight. It's a special boat to me and most people on the island and has served the island faithfully for decades. It will be very sad to see it go, but I'm looking forward to the improvements hopefully coming soon to the route!

[FNS]

Jan 6, 2021 10:20:39 GMT -8 Elwha on the Rocks said:

Thank you for sharing this! Very exciting to see this next chapter taking shape for Lummi Island. Some interesting stuff in that Build Grant document. It says that the vessel should be capable of carrying 34 cars and 150 passengers, a hefty upgrade from the current 20/100 capacity of the 'Chief. They also claim that the new vessel will only need to go into drydock every five years, with shorter dockside maintenance happening every year. If this comes to fruition it would be very nice for islanders as it would reduce the amount of time the vessel needs to be oos each year. Vessel should be in service by 2025, though as we all know that could easily get pushed back. Interestingly, as the alternative to a new vessel they suggest adding a 20 foot section to the middle of the Whatcom Chief. Of course, this would make very little sense to add to a nearly 60 year old boat, but it's fun to imagine what it would look like.


Looks like they are also planning to upgrade the Lummi Island terminal with a two lane system similar to Gooseberry Point; these will wind around the outside of the restrooms. Currently, there is only one lane that goes on the inside of the old restroom/crew break room building.


Overall, I'm very impressed. Based on my discussions with the crew in the past, they seem to have done an excellent job in listening to their input. There's still a lot of work to be done in order to get this project through, but it should be a very nice and necessary upgrade. Whatcom Chief is very much overrun in the summer months, not to mention that it is not up to ADA standards and the cardeck is tight. It's a special boat to me and most people on the island and has served the island faithfully for decades. It will be very sad to see it go, but I'm looking forward to the improvements hopefully coming soon to the route!

Guemes Island is also thinking in getting a new ferry as well.

www.skagitcounty.net/departments/publicworksferryreplacement

I think both operators should get together and have up to three identical ferries built.  One each owned by its county and one jointly owned as a maintenance period (or emergency) backup.  Base that backup vessel in either Anacortes or Bellingham.

The only thing that may be of issue on Guemes' design is the drive.  These are rotating propeller units that have bottoms extending below the keel level.  These may hit bottom on the shores of the Lummi run.

These counties should get together and have new ferries jointly designed and built with shallow hulls and drives that don't touch shorelines at low tides.

That's what both of those counties should do.

"LIFC", are you still a member of this Forum?

[Blue Bus Fan]

Jan 7, 2021 6:03:12 GMT -8 FNS said:

Jan 6, 2021 10:20:39 GMT -8 Elwha on the Rocks said:

Thank you for sharing this! Very exciting to see this next chapter taking shape for Lummi Island. Some interesting stuff in that Build Grant document. It says that the vessel should be capable of carrying 34 cars and 150 passengers, a hefty upgrade from the current 20/100 capacity of the 'Chief. They also claim that the new vessel will only need to go into drydock every five years, with shorter dockside maintenance happening every year. If this comes to fruition it would be very nice for islanders as it would reduce the amount of time the vessel needs to be oos each year. Vessel should be in service by 2025, though as we all know that could easily get pushed back. Interestingly, as the alternative to a new vessel they suggest adding a 20 foot section to the middle of the Whatcom Chief. Of course, this would make very little sense to add to a nearly 60 year old boat, but it's fun to imagine what it would look like.


Looks like they are also planning to upgrade the Lummi Island terminal with a two lane system similar to Gooseberry Point; these will wind around the outside of the restrooms. Currently, there is only one lane that goes on the inside of the old restroom/crew break room building.


Overall, I'm very impressed. Based on my discussions with the crew in the past, they seem to have done an excellent job in listening to their input. There's still a lot of work to be done in order to get this project through, but it should be a very nice and necessary upgrade. Whatcom Chief is very much overrun in the summer months, not to mention that it is not up to ADA standards and the cardeck is tight. It's a special boat to me and most people on the island and has served the island faithfully for decades. It will be very sad to see it go, but I'm looking forward to the improvements hopefully coming soon to the route!

Guemes Island is also thinking in getting a new ferry as well.

www.skagitcounty.net/departments/publicworksferryreplacement

I think both operators should get together and have up to three identical ferries built.  One each owned by its county and one jointly owned as a maintenance period (or emergency) backup.  Base that backup vessel in either Anacortes or Bellingham.

I personally think that this reasonable study for countries to maintain full service on both routes. Would all three vessel be electric vessels?