Editor,
For the second time in eight years, Island County has violated the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S. Code § 404) by dredging and filling at Swan Lake’s tide gate canal without the proper Army Corp of Engineers permits. Maintaining tide gate functions are necessary, but doing so need not destroy dependent habitats. In fact, it’s illegal. President George W. Bush adopted “no net loss” to wetland acreage and function as a national goal in 1989. This protection is affirmed in Washington State’s Shoreline Master Program WAC 173-26-186(8)(i). Island County citizens have made it known time and time again that they value, and are even willing to pay for, the preservation of open space, forests, estuaries and shorelines.
Swan Lake is one of only 6 percent of the total West Coast wetland acreage remaining of all U.S. coastal wetlands (EPA 2008). This publicly owned lake is situated on Whidbey Island’s western shoreline east of Oak Harbor and along Washington State and Audubon’s scenic byways. Regulatory requirements and decades of studies indicate the importance of protecting this rare coastal estuary for its economically valuable ecosystem services and environmental public assets. A comprehensive Habitat Management Plan for Swan Lake is long overdue.
Wetlands recharge ground water, filter pollution, provide wildlife habitat and support economic drivers including fishing, hunting, agriculture and recreation. Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife data indicates that 4.5 billion dollars annually is generated from fishing, hunting and wildlife watching. Coastal preservation has also been shown to increase property values, even when development potential is constrained to protect significant natural coastal features. Failing to understand the large number of economic goods and services provided by coasts and oceans impairs our ability to appropriately manage these aquatic resources for the best economic outcome (Restore America’s Estuaries 2008). Ecosystem economists therefore recommend developing and implementing action plans for protecting estuaries.
County commissioners should not press staff into law breaking situations that further the short-sighted development interests of a few over the long-range economic and environmental benefits of the many. Cost-effective and legal solutions exist that can sustain a controlled and enriching tidal interchange to this estuary, thus preventing the collapse of its life-sustaining organic processes.
Prevent Swan Lake from becoming a dead storm-water retention pond by holding your elected officials accountable for rigorous and law-abiding resource planning and preservation.
Angie Homola
Caring for Island County
Former County Commissioner District No. 2
