ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) -- Port of Astoria officials have started lease negotiations with a Bremerton, Wash.-company that wants to use 16 acres of the port's central waterfront to ship logs to Asia.

Port leaders say the deal could boost the agency's revenue by almost 25 percent.

The operation, however, would shift the Port's business strategy back to shipping after more than a decade of focus on fisheries, marine services and tourism.

Existing tenants worry about the impact of log truck traffic, noise and dust.

The issue prompted supporters and critics to pack a Port of Astoria Commission meeting this week.

No decision was made at the meeting.

Port Executive Director Jack Crider told The Daily Astorian that the Port is still negotiating the lease and has about two months to make a decision.

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Information from: The Daily Astorian, http://www.dailyastorian.com

Copyright 2010 The AP.