Port Townsend question (Seattle, Poulsbo: living, moving to, beach)

[LMB]

We were in Port Townsend on Wednesday and I have a question about the papermill just south of town. I'd heard the odors from the mill have been much improved, but it was really horrible when we drove through there on the way to PT. Maybe it was just the weather conditions or wind direction that day, but it was definitely NOT a pleasant experience. We didn't notice the smell in downtown Port Townsend, but it made me wonder if wind direction ever blows the smell into town. Anyone know?

We finally got to visit Fort Worden State Park, see the lighthouse and walk on the beach during our visit. How beautiful!!!

Lynn

[Waverider]

The wind comes from West to East or North to South on most occasions in Port Townsend. Sure, there are occasional days that the wind will drift towards the town...or the cloud cover holds it in. But, the mill is situated in a good spot in regards to Port Townsend. That is probably why you smelled it driving to it, but not in the town.

[chris]

I'm surprised no one mentions it at all. I passed through the area about 3-4 times near the end of September and the smell was indeed gross. It didn't smell in town but anytime you live that close to a paper mill, you have to wonder what you are breathing in. I think except for warm days, the air typically flows west to east, so that may be why you don't smell it too often in town.

[LMB]

It's also disconcerting to see the stinky "smoke" pouring out of the mill from the vantage point of Port Townsend's quaint waterfront area. Has the mill created any PR or marketing issues for Port Townsend or is it the 800 lb gorilla in the room? Such a lovely little town too. I guess eventually it will become a non-issue as we become a paperless society.

Lynn

[mayfair]

We were in PT this summer, and someone said the mill had recently installed new equipment so I think its going to be around for awhile.

It's definitely smelly on the drive into town

[Denmarkguy]

The degree of "mill stink" depends on where in town you are. Prevailing winds typically don't send the smell in the direction of downtown except for once in a blue moon. It's usually pretty breezy here, so it dissipates without hanging around too much. Bad days generally occur when it's cool and damp/foggy, and only a very slight breeze. I live in the North Beach area of town-- which is several miles from the mill-- and I'd guess we have a bit of smell maybe 10-12 days a year.

[cobolt]

Yea the mill stinks and it's an eyesore. I always have to stragetically place my camera when composing a photo, so as to eliminate it from an otherwise beautiful waterfront scene!

[swsha4]

I was there in October and felt the same way. It stunk something awful and I felt like we had to run the gauntlet of that huge industrial park just to get into the town.

It's a shame really. it completely ruined my whole impression of the place. Such a beautiful old town and yet this big mess is lurking over it. I kept wondering if it affects the water table etc, since it's up on a hill.

We have rejected moving to that area because of it. It surely cannot be healthy living so close to that plant! And who wants to drive through a cesspool every time you leave or enter your town?

And it wasn't just the paper mill as far as I could tell. All around it were all sorts of huge plants. I have no idea what they all do. But the stink was horrible.

[LMB]

Originally Posted by swsha4

We have rejected moving to that area because of it. It surely cannot be healthy living so close to that plant! And who wants to drive through a cesspool every time you leave or enter your town?

Port Townsend was among our top 5 possible choices when we were planning our relocation from Florida during the last few years. We decided it was a bit too far from Seattle for us, especially after we found our perfect place in Poulsbo. We had noticed the papermill smell driving into town on our first trip to PT, but not at all on a subsequent visit, which was via the Keystone-PT ferry. When visiting again (after our move) this past October the smell just outside of town was almost unbearable. Maybe it's just in that one area, but like you said, who wants to get nauseated just to get into and out of your hometown? It is a shame, because it's such a lovely area and picturesque little town.

There have been several local news stories lately on the unpopular decision to pull both Port Townsend-Keystone ferries out of commission for repairs for an undetermined amount of time. That happened just before Thanksgiving, and the PT downtown merchants are really hurting. A temp passenger-only ferry to and from Seattle was put into service for a month, but has been discontinued--so, no ferry service for PT at all right now. It would be great if they could find a way to continue the passenger-only service from Seattle on a permanent basis. It appeared to be very popular, but that might have been because it was during the Christmas holidays.

Lynn

[swsha4]

Very true LMB. Port Townsend itself is so picturesque that the whole paper mill industrial complex is like some sort of cancer infecting it! Why on earth they put it all right on the main highway is beyond me.

It is a terrible shame that they have lost their ferry service. Eventually they will get it back but in the meantime many businesses are in danger of going under.

PT has a lot going for it, but it also has more than it's fair share of problems.