[1][3] The commission was formed after the Adventure in Cooperation volunteers, which included contributors from the local Boy Scouts troop, churches, garden clubs, schools, and businesses, undertook a resource-and-needs inventory of the city.
[7][8] The commission ran the park as a private port, undertaking responsibilities for purchasing additional land, managing the grounds, and recruiting businesses.
Although there were positive estimations in regards to an increase in new jobs, and various statements of economic growth and regional cooperation and efficiency, the measure was considered dubious due to burdensome tax laws and zoning issues.
[2] The agency oversees the Chehalis Industrial Park and the port is part of the South Puget Sound Foreign Trade Zone.
[5] The CIP had expanded up to 160 acres (65 ha) by 1993 and after extensive infrastructure preparation at a cost estimated at $1.9 million, the grounds were considered complete and ready for occupancy in 1995.
This early attempt to control flooding and drainage issues led to the port, in association with agencies at the state and federal levels and with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to begin floodplain mitigation efforts in 2008.
Through an expedited process, the Port of Chehalis created a 66-acre (27 ha) wetland preserve and basin known as Pleasant Valley, south of Washington State Route 6 (SR 6).