Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout105November 26,2014 Daniel W. Johnson iefferson County DCD 621 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98358 Dear Mr. Johnson I am writing in support of the Pleasant Harbor DSEIS. My wife and I have kept our boat at Pleasant Harbor Marina since November 2000. We have seen the changes at the marina and impacts of the changes in the economy at both the marina and in the local community. We were both involved with the development of the Pleasant Harbor Yacht Club and I was a key member of the Advisory Committee (representing slipowners) to the Statesman Group as they developed plans for the marina and golf course developments. As a retired manager in the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and co-author of a major EIS for BLM in Western Oregon I am knowledgeable in working with EIS issues. As a result, I feel I am qualified to comment on this DSEIS. lamastrongbelievertheplansforthisdevelopmentwill createjobsandopportunitiesforthelocal Brinnonresidents. The community does not have a lot of new businesses coming in with even the most basic of wages. Lack of localjobs means residents may be dependent on assistance to meet food and housing needs. Even though the local residents may regard boatowners as 'non- local' there are many of us who regard the Brinnon area as our second home and have contributed to it. When I was Commodore of the Yacht Club, I began an annual event to gather food, toys and funds for the local Brinnon Food Bank. That tradition has continued since 2001. ln past discussions with the local Food Bank, it was clear that there are many in the community who can't afford to move to where there are jobs so we need to support potential businesses that will provide those options. I believe my involvement with the Advisory Committee has provided me with a strong understanding of the issues and opportunities these plans will bring to the local area. This project also would provide options that are limited or not currently available such as local lodging for visitors and additional groceries and sundries. lmprovements to the marina and development of Black Point would benefit the community as a whole by attracting additional boaters, golfers and other recreationists that can afford to spend locally atthestoresandrestaurantsalreadyinBrinnon. lfyoulookatAlderbrookResort,peoplewill shopatthestoresnearbyorseek alternative dining offsite, thereby benefitting the local community. lt will also add an extra 'draw' to travelers on Highway 101. Statesman Group was attracted to the beauty and ambiance of the Brinnon area. I believe that the Corporation and the County will be able to work together to find a balance that will retain that ambiance and bring a hope of moderate opportunity. As can be seen by the work at the marina, not every aspect of any plan gets fully implemented as initially planned. Any improvement in job opportunities, infrastructure, and paying visitors will be a benefit to the local community in ways not yet realized. lt may also attract other services or businesses. ln short, a new infusion of business in a local area that has very few opportunities to diversify beyond its logging origins should be looked on with favor rather than allowed to be blocked by small group who want no change and won't suffer from perpetuating a lack of growth. The resulting tax dollars to the county, state and local agencies will come when other funding is drying up. I respectfully ask the decision makers in Jefferson County to support the Pleasant Harbor DSEIS. r--' tr()trlt v Sincerely, 4 Greg and Tina Tyler Slip C20, Pleasant Harbor Marina 350 E. Ballycastle Way Shelton, WA 98584 t- I nEe n5-*---r 8 ?014 ,*_) DEC _l 'i n)ti )'i: i/r iJL ,t;y Yi r::1/rl