Commercial Fishing Homeport at Ancich Waterfront Park

Introduction to the Commercial Fishing Homeport at Ancich Waterfront Park Feasibility Study

Timeline

October 12, 2020 – Staff formally transmitted the Commercial Fishing Homeport Feasibility Study to city council. The study is available for public review here: Feasibility Study

June 14, 2021 - City council adopted Resolution 1210. This resolution further summarizes the planning process for the Homeport and formally adopts the layout of alternative G from the feasibility study.  

The city first submitted its Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application (JARPA #NWS-2022-472) in June of 2022 for the Homeport project, which included a mitigation plan for the new overwater coverage that would be created by the placement of the homeport gangway and floats.

It was not until October 2023 that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) engaged with the city on the JARPA #NWS-2022-472 application. Once USACE engaged with the city, a team of reviewers from USACE and NOAAs National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) began by suggesting a broad variety of options for mitigation.

The city resubmitted version 2 of the Homeport mitigation plan in May 2024 for consideration based on the discussions in 2023.

November 28, 2024 - City council adopted the 2025-2026 budget, which funds the full buildout of the Commercial Fishing Homeport. City staff and consultants re-engaged with federal regulatory agencies on mitigation and permitting requirements.

In January 2025, NMFS indicated the federal agencies may be able to draft a biological opinion soon that supports the city’s version 2 of the mitigation plan. When no action was taken by the federal agencies in February or March, the city insisted on convening a meeting with all federal agencies.  

April 14, 2025 - Mayor Mary Barber sent a letter to Senator Patty Murray requesting assistance addressing the federal permitting delay.  

April 23, 2025 - City staff met with the NMFS to discuss next steps in the federal permitting process.  

May 2, 2025 - USACE provided a detailed email describing the additional mitigation information needed for project review to continue. USACE required the additional information be submitted through an updated mitigation plan within 30 calendar days. City staff and the city’s consultant, Facet Engineering, worked quickly to provide an updated mitigation plan.  

May 28, 2025 – City staff submitted version 3 of its proposed mitigation plan.

June 12, 2025 - the city was copied on a letter from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to the USACE. This letter states, in part, that the city’s proposed mitigation plan for the Commercial Fishing Homeport Project "includes a restoration element(s) that partially offsets, but does not completely or adequately offset, the unavoidable impacts and adverse effects of the action.”  

Based on this stance, USFWS is requesting to the USACE that the city’s project be withdrawn from the current Endangered Species Act consultation process, effectively stopping all federal review on the Homeport Project, until there is sufficient information to confirm the city’s mitigation plan fully addresses CWA Section 404 requirements “in a manner that meets the ESA regulatory requirements of 50 CFR 402.14.”

Moving forward, the city will continue to engage with the federal agencies to develop a mitigation plan for the Homeport project that both meets the federal requirements and the Homeport project needs. However, this ongoing engagement and additional mitigation will increase the project costs both through consultant costs and increased construction costs. Both of these may be unavoidable in order to meet the increased mitigation requirements of USFWS. 

July 2025 -  The city was successful in applying to the Port of Tacoma for their Local Economic Investment Fund (LEDIF) for the Homeport construction and staff anticipates entering into a funding agreement soon.

September 2025 - Throughout the summer of 2025, staff has been working with the Corp and the services to finalize a path for project mitigation. This path includes, in part, purchasing mitigation credits through the Puget Sound Partnership. The city is currently in the process of finalizing an agreement with Puget Sound Partnership for those mitigation credits. Once completed, the city will provide that agreement to US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).  So that the final review and approval process can begin.

City staff is in the process of reengaging with Washington State Fish and Wildlife and local planning staff on the issuance of their permits.

Background

Gig Harbor was once home to a fleet of fishing boats that trolled the Pacific coast for salmon. In the early 1900s, Croatian immigrants played a major role in shaping the community and developing a thriving commercial fishing industry. Many families still reside in the area today, with names and traditions that continue to reflect this important heritage.

The community celebrates this maritime heritage through events like the annual Blessing of the Fleet, traditional boatbuilding at the local museum, and educational programs that connect new generations to the area’s seafaring past.

The Commercial Fishing Homeport project at Ancich Waterfront Park in Gig Harbor is a long-term initiative aimed at supporting the city's historic commercial fishing industry by providing dedicated moorage facilities. This project has been ongoing for the last decade to realize the community vision of a thriving, working waterfront.

In 2013, the City of Gig Harbor (City) passed Resolution 949 to capture the visioning process for Ancich Waterfront Park and, even with the park open to the public, this resolution continues to guide site developments. Previous work at the park has created collaborative and compatible uses within the community, preserved and strengthened City views and the historic netshed, as well as provided boat storage opportunities and public beach access. However, one overarching goal of Resolution 949 remains to be completed: providing dock access and moorage facilities for commercial fishermen. The dock and storage building for human-powered craft opened in 2022.