COOS BAY - The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay has no interest in operating a golf course. But it could wind up owning some wetlands that once sported putting greens and fairways if new developments sprout up on the North Spit.

The port has joined Jordan Cove Energy Project in an option to buy Kentuck Golf Course on the northeast shore of Coos Bay. The liquefied natural gas terminal developer wants the land to offset subtidal damage that would be caused by building a slip dock on the North Spit if the project wins approval.

The option runs through July 2010, though it could be extended another year under certain circumstances. Until the contract is enacted or expires, the golf course remains open for business.

Jordan Cove also has an option to purchase Weyerhaeuser property through the port that is good through the end of this year.

Jordan Cove needs to create about 35 acres of wetlands to satisfy government regulators, said Project Manager Bob Braddock. Since the option allows Jordan Cove to purchase either half the course, about 50 acres, or all 18 holes, about 100 acres, there will be some leftover land.

Jordan Cove doesn't have plans for any more projects that need wetlands, and it would need to register with the state to become a mitigation bank.

If a container terminal or some other industrial project materializes, a soggy golf course could become prime real estate for the port.

"It helps us out, and helps them out," said Braddock. "We don't want to be in the land or mitigation business."

The port doesn't have to buy any land from Jordan Cove, but it has the option to pay $80,000 an acre for the wetland property. That's more than what Jordan Cove would pay the Culp family. The larger sale price is due to the costs of converting the golf course into wetlands, Braddock explained.

There also needs to be a zoning change and conditional use permit. The golf course currently is zoned recreational, said Coos County Planning Director Patty Evernden. The Board of Commissioners would need to sign off on such a change, though there hasn't been any such application crossing her desk.

David Koch, port's counsel on the matter, said it's his understanding Jordan Cove is sending in a land-use application soon and needed to get the port's name on it.

Port Executive Director Jeffrey Bishop said if the commission hadn't approved the option agreement, Jordan Cove would have either looked for a different location or gone ahead with the work without the port.