BLAINE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Plans to clean up a prime spot in Blaine’s harbor have hit a snag.

The Port of Bellingham learned earlier this summer that anticipated funding to clean the former Westman Marine site did not get approved by the Washington state Department of Ecology.

Reallocating funds from other port projects wasn’t an option, as other projects were listed as higher priorities.

According to the port, the site is considered shovel-ready for cleanup to begin as soon as the cost is covered.

It had been used for fish processing in the 1940’s and 50’s, leading to contamination in both the soil and water.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that public comment opened earlier this year for the site’s public participation plan and the consent decree between Ecology and the port. Ecology says that three comments were submitted, but they did not prompt any changes to either document.

Port Commission members plan to reapply for Westman Marine cleanup funding during the next budget cycle.

This story was first reported by Cascadia Daily News.