HomeMy WebLinkAbout060524 email - Jet ski ordinance Ludlow BayALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Hi all,
I am the former WSU Extension Water Quality and Natural Resources Faculty for Jefferson County ( 2002- 2012). I also was the lead staff of the Jeff MRC for those years. Our MRC was
one of the first Puget Sound MRCs to create a buoy system to protect eelgrass from being destroyed by boat anchors in the bay of Port Townsend and designed and installed educational
signage along the waterfront about the importance of eelgrass in our marine ecosystem.
The San Juan MRC commissioners approved a No Jet Ski ordinance for most of the San Juan waters through the guidance of the SJ MRC in 2013. The ordinance was challenged the next year
by the jet ski industry but was upheld in its original form and has been successful with I believe no issues since that time.
I contacted SJ MRC, spoke with their lead staff, and received a copy of their ordinance. I have changed the wording only in regards to the area proposed….in this case, I would like
Port Ludlow Bay to be protected. Ludlow Bay has large swaths of healthy shoreline eelgrass that would be endangered by jet ski use anywhere close to shore. Jet skis can easily tear
up the eelgrass and destroy the root system.
Eelgrass is essential to a healthy marine ecosystem and it is quite finicky about where it will grow and thrive (a narrow band width with sun and a muddy substrate). It cannot be transplanted
very successfully ( we tried that in Seattle with marina expansion remediation and it was unsuccessful) and therefore protecting our remaining eel grass beds around Puget Sound is vitally
important. Yes, I do live along the shoreline across from the Ludlow Resort and most of these healthy eelgrass beds are on this side of the bay. I have photo documentation I am happy
to provide either before or at a Commissioner meeting.
My concern is that if we wait much longer to address this situation, we might begin to have residents that own and use jet skis in the Bay and it will be more difficult then to pass
a protective ordinance. Right now there is only very occasional use in the Bay and it is important to get ahead of this now.
I will gladly talk with the Jefferson MRC and the Commissioners to present the draft ordinance. I will also survey the Ludlow Community and gather signatures if you believe that would
be helpful to move this along.
Would appreciate hearing from you and your guidance about how best to proceed now.
Thanks for all that you do,
Pat Pearson
360 643 3476