DAYTON—At their meeting last week at the Lyon’s Ferry Marina, Port of Columbia County commissioners Fred Crowe and Earle Marvin signed a three-year lease agreement with rail operator Frontier Rail LLC, to maintain and operate the rails for the newly named Columbia/Walla Walla shortline, between Dayton and Walla Walla.

Port Manager Jennie Dickinson said that all the wording issues in the lease had been resolved.

“I feel very good. I think I understand the lease very well,” Dickinson told the commissioners.

Once the agreement is filed with the state, Frontier Rail crews can begin making repairs...