I wish to express my opposition to the planned development, “clearing and grading,” and construction of a “new private access roadway” from the intersection of Happy Lane and Sandusky Road eastward into the forest lands behind my house.

This road development will potentially negatively impact our community’s water that is drawn from a well that is only a few feet from this proposed roadway. I seriously doubt that such activities would not have some potentially damaging effect on our community water quality or services.

Furthermore, the use of heavy construction equipment will certainly be detrimental to the life expectancy of our own roadways that were recently resurfaced for light residential use.

Additionally, the distance between the proposed new intersection and the intersect of Sandusky Road with West Beach Road is dangerously close and will significantly increase traffic hazards in what is now a blind curve on a hill that is already made dangerous by darkness or adverse weather conditions such as common coastal fog and often ice and snow.

This proposed development will certainly be a significant annoyance and a nuisance to everyone in our community here on Happy Lane and Sandusky Road, as well as our neighbors on West Beach Road.

I recently read an article in the Skagit Valley Herald about how the residents of Guemes Island banded together to purchase and protect some acreage of significant habitat to preserve the natural environment of their island. I would hope that the citizens and government of Island County can be as proactive in the preservation of the natural beauty and environment of our island. We need to preserve the last threads of our north-south bio-corridor now before it is lost forever.

I respectfully request that the application (No. 159/09CGP) be denied based upon these concerns.

Vern Pederson

Oak Harbor