Turned out to be concrete. I didn't do it or the deck. They decided they liked the grey on the deck. I did put a germ in their mind of maybe cleaning and staining it with a grey finish to protect the wood from further damage.
Teetor, you are or have been around docks quite a bit, right? I'm thinking with concrete, I could just do it with no chem's. How would you suggest a concrete pier be cleaned? A wooden one? I know someone on these forums have done these things. Maybe it is a sensitive subject.
On second thought, wood or concrete could have contaminants I am not aware of with or without chemicals being used.