HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.Baker, N 5-11_Jefferson County Shoreline Master Plan (48)
Michelle McConnell
From:ntbakerphd@earthlink.net
Sent:Tuesday, May 11, 2010 8:11 AM
To:Stewart, Jeff R. (ECY)
Subject:Jefferson County Shoreline Master Plan
Categories:LASMP Public Comment
Dear Mr. Stewart;
I am writing to support the Jefferson County Shoreline Master Program. Frankly I am surprised it is this
good. Citizen involvement and community outreach was outstanding during the entire time this plan was formulated. The
Department of Community Development (DCD) provided multiple
opportunities for involvement over a four year period, including several direct mailings to shoreline property owners. The
involvement of shoreline owners on Policy Advisory Committee is truly commendable and now has their support. It also
has community support. The care that the Board of County Commissioners took to analyze every piece of testimony and
to incorporate the ideas of all contributors was exceptional. The plan is balanced to meet needs of both property owners
and Puget Sound's ecosystem which is in serious need of restoration. The plan used peer-reviewed science to support
policies and decisions. That alone is huge impetus for you and the Dept of Ecology to support this plan.
In particular there are several items that need your and the Dept of Ecology’s total support. The plan prohibits all
mining and mining-related activities on our natural, conservation, and residential shorelines. While the current pit-to-pier
project would be grandfathered (but hopefully dead), it will stop similar future projects and result in a no net loss to
Puget Sound ecosystems. 150 foot buffers are needed to restore and retain ecosystem functions. These buffers were
supported by significant testimony at all meetings and hearings, and they are supported by the latest available science as
a compromise.
The 150 foot buffer widths which are necessary to protect shoreline functions. This is a critical point that needs to be
emphasized – 150 foot buffers are a necessity. The plan provides for flexible buffer modification where modifications
are appropriate so that there is no net loss to shoreline functions. I applaud this provision. The SMP provides clear
language and policies that make it easier for citizens to understand and implement the SMP. Clear regulations in the plan
provide land use consistency and improves property values. This is an important point the citizens need to understand
when they are impacted by the SMP. The SMP prohibits commercial net pen farming and aquaculture. There are too
many problems associated with net pens to allow them in Puget Sound. Pollution, parasites and genetic dilution of our
native endangered salmon stocks are problems that are too great to ignore. The SMP minimizes the need for shoreline
armoring by encouraging non-structural remedies. This is also critically important to restore Puget Sound ecosystems.
I urge you and the Dept of Ecology to accept and implement this plan in its’ entirety. I also urge you to
implement enforcement capabilities for the Dept of Ecology. We are simply losing too much of the original ecosystems of
Puget Sound. We have the longest list of endangered species and the most depressed fishewries in North America. This
plan is a significant step in restoring Puget Sound.
Norman T. Baker, PhD
Norm and Peggy Baker
ntbakerphd@earthlink.net mlbake2@earthlink.net
3789 Lost Mountain Rd
Sequim, WA 98382
360-683-8046 (do not use 477-5115)
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