MEGLER The Dismal Nitch Rest Area wont be so dismal after modernization that the National Park Service (NPS) and local partners plan to begin in 2015.

Estimated to cost about $1.3 million, the project aims to make the aging cinderblock building and grounds beside the Columbia into a more suitable gateway for prime Lewis and Clark historical sites along the rivers north shore. Collectively, these sites are being called the Columbia Pacific Passage, and extend from the Pacific-Wahkiakum county line to Cape Disappointment.

In addition, a creek flowing into the river just west of the rest area will be outfitted with a better culvert, allowing more salmon to regain access to habitat in a small, forested valley.

Based on recent research, NPS and the Washington Historical Society (WHS) believe the actual Dismal Nitch so named because of miserable weather conditions the expedition experienced there for six days starting on Nov. 10, 1805 is located about a mile east of the rest area. But the rest area remains useful as a centrally located facility along the Columbia Pacific Passage.

The Dismal Nitch/Megler Safety Rest Area is located at a perfect location to be considered the Gateway to the Washington and north shore historical and cultural treasures, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Superintendent Scott Tucker said. It also holds an important piece of the regional transportation history. We plan on interpreting the complete story of transportation in the region to include the Chinook Indian Nation, the Lewis and Clark story, the [Ilwaco] railroad, the ferry terminal and the highway. Although the Real Dismal Nitch has been determined by current research to be another mile upriver, this location will remain as a way-finding point and hopefully as the gateway for the history of the area.

This gateway experience provided by the rest area includes panoramic views of the Astoria-Megler Bridge, upriver nearly 20 miles and across the river to Oregon. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), which will maintain legal ownership of the site for now, estimates about 155,000 people stop there each year. The average daily vehicle count is 2,223.

An access grant from the Federal Highway Administration will provide 86.5 percent of project funding, with the remaining 13.5 percent coming from NPS, WHS and WSDOT $175,000 in either cash or in-kind services.

Improvements will include maps placing nearby Lewis and Clark sites in context for visitors, interpretive signs for pedestrians, better vehicle access at the west end, trails or boardwalks that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, new stormwater swales for the parking lot, and native-plant landscaping.

NPS is partnering with CREST (the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce) for the separate culvert-replacement project directly west of the rest area.

The culvert does represent a fish barrier because of its size and its elevation, Tucker said. CREST has sampled the creek both above and below the culvert and found Chinook salmon, coho salmon, chum salmon, and cutthroat trout. The number of salmon above the culvert was less than 10 percent of the number immediately downstream of the culvert. Theyre at the doorstep of the culvert but cant make it inside to forage and rear.

A preliminary hydraulic analysis has found that replacing the current culvert with a larger structure will increase fish passage and tidal water exchange. A cost estimate for the culvert replacement isnt available at this time, pending completion of engineering work.

Here is an online interview the Chinook Observer conducted with Tucker:

Observer: Any misgivings about investing more at this site that we now think isnt the actual Dismal Nitch? I assume its still mostly regarded as a useful public focal point? 

Tucker: The workgroup that developed the Passage realized that the south Pacific County community has struggled for years with how to incorporate the rest area into the overall travel and visitor/resident educational experience/interpretation. There was the slow realization that it is a gateway center to south Pacific County and has the potential to be a key pearl in a string of pearls that tells stories of outstanding local, state, national and international importance.

Observer: Will new signage make corrections and/or allude to the additional sites just upriver? In general, are there any systematic efforts afoot to present an interlinked story of the various L&C-related locations near the Columbia estuary?

Tucker: The interpretive workgroup for the project will focus on the core stories of the Columbia River. Of course we will highlight the Dismal days of the Corps of Discovery, but we also hope to link the transportation stories of the river from Indigenous canoes to railroads, the ferry system and now the linking on the Columbia Pacific Passage by the highway. In addition, we hope to tell the story of salmon and the current recovery efforts the region is taking a leadership role in. The remains of piling (mudsticks) from a salmon-receiving dock coupled with the culvert project offer an excellent site for telling the story of salmon.

Observer: In what ways will the actual building there change?

Tucker: The core building will remain the same. There have been discussions of façade improvements to include wood plank cladding, information/interpretation signage, door replacement and foundation improvements, but the planning and design will come later in 2014. In addition, we hope to provide better shoreline access by removing the chain link fence and replacing it with a boardwalk with cantilevered decks and railings allowing an unobstructed view of the river while providing interpretive opportunities on the decks.

Observer: Any chance of providing actual water access? If not, what issues are at work?

Tucker: Water access was discussed in previous planning efforts for the area. It was determined by the planning team the mix of water access and long-term parking directly competed with the rest area/way-finding needs for the area. The partners involved determined there are sufficient water-launching opportunities both above and below the rest area.

Observer: The potable water supply there was long an issue; is it permanently fixed to your satisfaction?

Tucker: In 2006 a new potable water well was established on the hillside well above the rest area and piped to the facilities on site. The well was successful and we have no concerns for potable water at this time.

Observer: Picnic tables will remain?

Tucker: Yes, the picnic tables will remain, the goal of the project is to make the rest area an overall better visitor experience and a possible formal group picnic area is part of the discussions.

Observer: Any archaeological concerns thus far?

Tucker: In 2005, archaeological testing found no historically significant objects at the rest area location. Most of the rest area was constructed on fill material rather than original soils. Before the work, though, well follow our federal requirements for consulting with tribes and the State of Washington.

Observer: Who actually holds title to this site now? Any changes in the offing?

Tucker: The Washington Department of Transportation owns and operates the Safety Rest Area. The project will open the discussion for future management of the site, but at this time there have been no discussions. The Dismal Nitch/Melger Safety Rest Area is inside the National Park Service Dismal Nitch Unit Boundary.