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Disabled Fishing Access and Deck Coming Soon to Lyons Ferry Marina, Columbia County

Submitted by Lisa Naylor, RC&D Coordinator, Blue Mountain RC&D

At a Council meeting last fall, 2006, Port of Columbia manager, Gene Turner outlined plans for a special access walkway and fishing deck at Lyons Ferry Marina and requested assistance from the Blue Mountain RC&D. Patrons at the marina facility have requested access for disabled, the elderly and very young. The closest facilities to accommodate fish-minded disabled individuals is in Kennewick at Columbia Park, 80 miles to the west or in Clarkston, south of the South Way Bridge, 90 miles to the east.

This cooperative effort involves the Port of Columbia, Lyons Ferry Marina staff, Blue Mountain RC&D and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Other partners include Konen Construction, US Army Corps of Engineers, TriState Steelheaders and Hubbard-Rogg Funeral Home of Dayton.

Work to be completed includes placement of 350’ x 5’ wide walkway from the north end of the parking lot and constructing two wheel chair turnouts. The work area is located along the grassy walkway, north of the parking area to the northern-most point on the Snake River at Lyons Ferry marina. The walkway will be framed and filled by an estimated 42 yards of concrete to create a level surface accommodating disabled individuals.

The covered fishing deck, formerly part of Lyons Ferry Park in Franklin County, will sit partially on marina property with 1/3 extending over the river, allowing fishing access.

Funding was secured from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account fund. A total of $13,490.00 state dollars will be paired with over $9,500.00 of in-kind volunteer labor.

The project is expected to be completed by mid-October.
 

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