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Michelle McConnell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Michael Nyby [mnyby@hotmail.com]
Thursday, January 29,20099:19 AM
Michelle McConnell
Shoreline Master Program - Public Comment
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To the members of the Long-range Planning Division:
I think it is very important to implement the residential setback proposal of the Shoreline Master
Program. I have listed a few of my reasons below:
Protection of the breeding areas for salmon and other sea life along shorelines
Protection of native fishing industries
Saving the beauty of the fragile shorelines of Port Townsend Bay and other waterways for local and
visiting populations and for future generations
Developing the belief that too much development and too little natural vegetation along shorelines take
away the natural buffer against the effects of violent storms, flooding, and erosion. (The abnormal
devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina was partly due to overdevelopment and clearance of native
vegetation near the coast. In Los Angeles the County has decided to let the concrete-covered L.A. River
slowly return to its natural shoreline growth in an effort to reduce the speed of the river-flow during flood
season, retain the rainwaters for soaking back into the water table, encourage the return of frogs and
other beneficial shoreline animals, and provide recreation areas for the community.)
Maintaining a consistent philosophy of monitoring and preventing the instances where the
marine environment is threatened. (Currently under the NOAA [National Oceanic and Space
Administration] at the Marine Science Center, there is a program of monitoring for toxins that are
sometimes present in the Port Townsend Bay and neighboring waterways. The highly-detailed program
was instituted to find ways to protect sensitive sea life, especially shellfishr from being poisoned by the
toxins.) Sheilding the coastline from development raises the level of a PROTECTIVE monitoring
program to a new PROACTIVE level.
As a personal note, I believe that owning fragile property along shorelines should evoke or require a
greater respect for, and responsibility of preserving the coast, not only for the owners' families, but for
many future generations. On a broader level, I believe that we all have a responsibility of being good
stewards of the land we own or care for.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond to this important proposal.
SincerelYr
Kathy Nyby
1906 Rosewood St.
Port Townsend, Wa.
98368
(360) 385-7152
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