The state Department of Ecology denied Jefferson County a $250,000 grant to help fund an archaeological study and other work related to a Beckett Point septic system project where Native American remains were found in late May.
The three county commissioners had agreed to fund up to $250,000 of the archaeological study and costs related to the delay in construction on the $2.8 million Jefferson County Public Utility District community septic system.
The grant would have reimbursed that amount.
"It's disappointing, and frankly, I'm surprised," said Rep. Lynn Kessler, the state House majority leader from Hoquiam.
Apparently, the grants in question only apply to pilot projects with applications elsewhere, which Ecology didn't think this was.