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Jeanie Orr
From: Peter Bahls [peter@nwwatershed.org)
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 20098:36 PM
To: #Long-Range Planning
Cc: rattemann@pugetsound.org
Subject: RE Shoreline Management Plan comments
Attachments: Peter Bahls.vef
Dear Jefferson County Planning Department,
Northwest Watershed Institute owns and pays taxes on several properties along the shorelines
of Tarboo-Dabob Bay. As Director of NWI, I am an aquatic biologist and served as member of
Shoreline Technical Committee. First, I am impressed with the extensive opportunities for
public involvement in the SMA process. I have never seen a process that has involved so
many opportunities for public input. Jefferson County Planning Department is to be
commended for their fine work in organizing the SMA revision process.
NWI appreciates the Planning Commission's work to review the SMP based on citizen
comments. However, the Planning Commission has eliminated important safeguards that
would protect shoreline habitat and water quality as new growth occurs. Please don't roll back
the environmental safeguards proposed in the citizen committee's draft. Please reinstate the
science-based buffers for all of Jefferson County shorelines. These buffers are sized to provide
for wildlife habitat, reduce erosion and flooding of our homes, prevent chemicals from
poisoning shellfish beds, keep our beaches clean enough to swim in, and our salmon streams
cool.
* We support the Planning Commission's revision to make it easy for homes to be
rebuilt after a fire. However, rolling back science-based buffers to address
undersized lots is like throwing the baby out with the bath. Instead of reducing
environmental safeguards on 60 miles of shoreline, the County needs to come up
with a cheap and easy process that allows development on nonconforming lots
while protecting water quality and habitat.
* We support the previous drafts, which require geoduck aquaculture to obtain a
conditional permit. There are too many unanswered questions about the modern
way of farming geoduck, and the science on the issue is due in within a few years.
We can modify that later, if it proves there's no harm to the near shore habitat.
* We support the previous draft which banned the use of pens to raise fish on the
shore. Canada has experienced many problems with pen fish, and until such time
that the science is clear, we need to keep this practice off our shores.
* The draft removes important safeguards to protect sensitive habitats from mining.
Mining should not be allowed in the Conservancy environment, and additional
protections are needed.
*Better provisions for enforcement and monitoring are needed. SMA permit fees
should pay for this.
Peter Bahls, Director
6/18/2009
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Northwest Watershed Institute
3407 Eddy Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
tel. 360-385-6786
fax.360-385-2839
W'/'I'1i. nwwaters_bed. org
6/1812009