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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2961-659 il- i' ''lC-j 1/ I Jeanie Orr From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Jeanie Orr Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:02 AM Michelle McConnell AI Scalf; Stacie Hoskins; Jeanie Orr FW: Shoreline Master Program Attachments: Shoreline Master Program comments. doc Shoreline ~r Program com -----Original Message----- From: Debaran Kelso [mailto:dlkelso@olympus.net] Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 4:24 PM To: #Long-Range Planning Subject: Shoreline Master Program Dear Jefferson County Planning Commission- Please would you include my attached letter in the record of comments on the proposed changes to the Shoreline Master Program. Thanks very much- Debaran Kelso 1 Debaran Kelso 451 E. Middlepoint Rd. Port Townsend, W A 98368 dlkelso@olympus.net 17 June 2009 Dear Jefferson County Planning Commission: I would like to take this opportunity to comment upon the Jefferson County Shorelil Master Program, which is currently under review. I feel very fortunate to have been a resident of this area for over 20 years, during which time I have derived great pleasure from exploring our coastlines and waterways. It therefore with true concern that I have learned of recent proposals to weaken the environmental regulations that have been an integral part of the draft shoreline plan, whicl help retain both the beauty and health of our marine and freshwater ecosystems. I would ask that you would please not roll back the environmental safeguards proposed in the citizen committee's draft plan, and reinstate the science based 150' buffer: for all Jefferson County shorelines. These buffers are sized to reduce erosion and floodin~ prevent chemicals from poisoning shellfish beds, keep our salmon streams viable and our beaches clean. A general rolling back of buffer size to address the problems ofundersizec or non-conforming lots is not a proper solution- a generalized rule will affect many miles c shoreline, and it should be possible to tailor a solution for the lots in question while continuing to protect water quality and habitat for the area as a whole. I am also very concerned about the prospect of both geoduck and fish farming near our shorelines. Geoduck aquaculture is in its infancy and there are many unanswered questions about its impact on the environment, while fish farming has many documented problems- until scientific study can prove that these practices do not contribute to environmental degradation they should be kept from our shores. Thanks very much for considering my comments, and for all of your hard work on this difficult and controversial issue. Sincerely yours, Debaran Kelso