PORT ORCHARD, WA – On July 6, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joined U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) at a press conference on the Port Orchard waterfront to celebrate a recently-awarded $9.4 million federal grant to help replace public breakwater at the Port of Bremerton. In February, Rep. Kilmer expressed support for the Port Orchard breakwater replacement proposal in a letter to Sec. Buttigieg.
“Let me talk about why federal funding for this breakwater is a big deal,” said. Rep. Kilmer. “$9.4 million from the federal government isn’t just news – it is a game-changer. This isn’t just a dollar amount – it is an investment in progress, an investment in this community and some of the vision this community has for economic opportunity.”
“The former Naval officer in me understands the importance of Kitsap County,” said Sec. Buttigieg. “The former mayor in me loves being able to support local work and a community that clearly is very proud and deserves a wind at your back from the federal government. And the transportation secretary in me is just delighted to be here to celebrate this Port Orchard breakwater replacement – something we know the community has been working toward for a long time.”
Rep. Kilmer and Sec. Buttigieg were joined by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (WA) and Maria Cantwell (WA), Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Suquamish Tribe Chairman Leonard Forsman, Port of Bremerton CEO Jim Rothlin, and other officials.
The existing breakwater is currently damaged and at risk of failure, posing a significant threat to the Port Orchard Marina. The marina serves as a crucial economic driver for the City of Port Orchard, contributing $10 million annually to the local economy. Additionally, the breakwater plays a vital role in protecting the only saltwater fueling station within a 16-nautical-mile radius. This fueling station supports marine vessels involved in the transportation of goods and people.
Furthermore, the breakwater provides mooring for various public uses, including essential government emergency response services, non-tribal commercial fishing, the Kitsap Transit foot ferry fleet (which is projected to accommodate up to 600,000 annual trips by 2026), general moorage and recreational slips, and commercial fishing vessel moorage and cargo unloading docks exclusively reserved for the Suquamish Tribe to exercise its treaty rights.
Originally constructed in 1974, the Port Orchard Marina Breakwater is now more than 20 years past its intended lifespan. Storm damage in 2022 necessitated the closure of the marina to the general public, although temporary repairs have allowed limited functionality. However, these temporary measures are not sustainable in the long term. Therefore, the $9.4 million federal investment will facilitate a complete replacement of the aging breakwater, ensuring the continued operation and safety of the marina.
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