Thanks to the support of the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition and United Way of San Juan County, our community’s young teens will be able to continue to develop essential life skills through the WSU 4-H Challenge Program!
We’ve got a big change coming down the pike, one that will alter how we travel to and from the islands that we call home. Beginning in fall 2012, many of those driving onto the ferry on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes will need reservations. We’re not entirely sold on the idea, but we’re also not fully opposed. Here are two sides.
Want to make a difference in the community? There are several opportunities to do so, and you don’t have to be elected. Volunteering on San Juan County boards and committees gives you the opportunity to help shape policies regarding agriculture, community development, health and human services, the marine environment, veterans services and other aspects of community life.
Treaty tribal and state co-managers wrapped up their annual process of setting salmon fishing seasons recently and I was again reminded of those who say that a total ban on fishing is the only path to salmon recovery. They don’t truly mean a total ban though, just one on Indian and non-Indian harvesters. They don’t want to talk about all of the fish lost to dams, poisoned stormwater runoff and low stream flows. Those environmental factors “harvest” salmon just like any fishery. A dead fish is a dead fish no matter how it dies.
Remember when you were a kid and you had nothing to do? Remember saying, “Mom, I’m bored! There’s nothing to do!”? Where have those days gone? As adults we are never bored and now only dream of the days when we had nothing to do. Despite this, we can’t forget that the youth in our community do get bored, especially in the summer. This is often when poor decisions are made. There is no better time to arrange weekly activities to keep your kids happy and productive during their summer vacation.
Town and county bans on polystyrene to-go containers take effect April 23, Earth Day. The bans demonstrate our commitment to protect human and environmental health on the islands, by banning the use of a toxic petroleum-based material for which safe, compostable options of equal or lesser cost are available.
It’s now been four years since the grassroots group that named itself the San Juan Island Anti-Litter Initiative formed. During this time, we’ve mounted several important campaigns aimed at raising awareness about San Juan Island’s litter problem and at attempting to reduce the amount of litter on our roadsides and beaches. Working behind the scenes in concert with us was Patt Martin, a woman who deserves a very special “thank you” from all of us.
The Friday Harbor Town Council has withdrawn “for the time being” the town’s offer to sell the solid waste transfer station site to the county. The San Juan County Council has responded that it may go its own way and develop a new transfer station on a neighboring parcel. Within their letters to each other: An openness to negotiate and resolve their disputes. We encourage them to do so. They have an opportunity to resolve one of the most contentious issues on the island today and strengthen the relationship between the town and county governments.
While driving home from a recent stormwater workshop, a friend asked, “Is run-off from my small property really making its way to the ocean and causing damage? My family has lived here 20 years, and we care about the environment as much as anyone. Why is this suddenly becoming a problem?” It’s a good question, and one that resonates with many of us. When we look to science for the answer, we find that it isn’t always exact enough to show specific effects from specific human behaviors.
San Juan County has the worst derelict vessel problem in the state. Loaded with fuel, oil and other toxins, derelict vessels pose a tremendous environmental threat. The state Department of Natural Resources’ Derelict Vessel Removal Program should provide a no-interest loan to fund a local Derelict Vessel Removal Program coordinator. The loan would be repaid by in-kind services and costs recouped from owners of derelict vessels.
Good solid waste management services are essential to the general public health and to a clean environment. That’s something that all islanders share in, whether we rent or own, whether we own property that is developed or undeveloped. The solid waste transfer stations on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez islands generate a total of 66,000 visits per year. Providing those solid waste services has a cost. So does ensuring a safe working environment and adapting to changes in environmental standards.
We do all we can. We try to reduce, we try to reuse, we are diligent about recycling, but we still have trash. Have you ever wondered what happens to our trash? Well, wonder no more!
President Obama is only going to pick two or three from the list of 14, but we hope the San Juans are among those selected for national monument designation. The only lands directly affected by the designation would be those owned and managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. — some 900 acres, including conservation areas and small islands. Those lands are considered Areas of Critical Environmental Concern and are already protected: No camping, no development, no fires, no motorized vehicles. Pedestrian use only. National monument status could result in more resources for conservation.