Gig Harbor’s long-planned Commercial Fishing Homeport moved a step closer to reality this week after a city hearing examiner verbally indicated he would approve a shoreline permit for the project, according to reporting by Gig Harbor Now.

The June 3 hearing lasted about 40 minutes, during which hearing examiner Mark Scheibmeir described the permit decision as straightforward.

"This was not a hard one," Scheibmeir said during the hearing. "On a scale of one to 10, 10 being the easiest of shoreline permits to issue."

According to Gig Harbor Now, Scheibmeir's primary question focused on the number of environmental mitigation credits purchased to offset the project's impacts. Project manager and lead engineer Drew McDonald explained that the credit requirements were calculated by federal reviewers, including NOAA, and were based largely on the presence of submerged aquatic vegetation in the project area.

"There's no jeopardy decision," McDonald said. "The federal reviewer found that the project is going to have no long-term impact that can't be offset by this credit purchase overall."

Scheibmeir said the project had demonstrated that it would meet environmental obligations, calling it "an exciting moment for the city" and noting that the project's mitigation efforts appeared to meet or exceed environmental impacts.

The Commercial Fishing Homeport has been in development since the city purchased the dock area at Ancich Waterfront Park in 2012, according to Gig Harbor Now. Plans call for dock space for up to 17 commercial fishing vessels measuring between 60 and 70 feet in length. The project also includes removal of the aging Jerkovich Pier, which reportedly contains environmental hazards including creosote.

The Gig Harbor Commercial Fishermen's Club has supported the project since its inception and contributed $200,000 toward its development.

Scheibmeir said he expects to issue a written decision within the next few days.