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The Friday Harbor Town Council has withdrawn “for the time being” the town’s offer to sell the solid waste transfer station site to the county.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.
In the coming weeks, we have a chance to claim our fair share of federal revenues for important services and infrastructure improvement and to improve the quality of life in our island communities. Stand up and be counted in 2010!
The terrible tragic death of veteran trainer Dawn Brancheau at Sea World Florida has suddenly generated a nationwide public examination of our feelings about captive orca shows. We’ve now seen the harm they can do even to compassionate humans, and the mental distress captivity can cause in the orcas. Google shows at least 6,892 articles on the trainer’s death. No other single news event has brought out such a groundswell of emotions doubting the ethical wisdom of using captive orcas for entertainment.
First Haiti, now Chile. Widespread destruction on a scale most of us have seen only in a Hollywood movie has many in the Pacific Northwest wondering what it would look like here after a similar quake. And the reality is, of course, that it will happen here.
Times are tough right now. But for just a few dollars, and a little bit of your time, you can bolster cancer research and help provide services for local cancer patients. The kickoff for Relay for Life is today — Feb. 23 — from, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the San Juan Island Library. The kickoff is open to the public.
Voters did the right thing when they approved property tax levy renewals for San Juan Island EMS and San Juan Island School District maintenance and operations. You will continue to pay a property tax of 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation for EMS services. If your home is worth $300,000, that’s $105 a year – no out of pocket. It’s a great investment in the health and security of you and every member of your household.
The Voting Rights Act of 1964 shored up the 15th Amendment to the Constitution because of literacy tests and poll taxes specifically targeting Blacks. My article in 2009 noted that many white Americans had more optimism about race relations than they’d ever had. I still don’t.
