by KIT RAWSON, JIM SLOCOMB, AND MARY KNACKSTEDT, san juan mrc
The Critical Areas Ordinance are rules that assure that new development doesn’t degrade drinking water supplies, wetlands, or fish and wildlife habitat. The county is required by the state Growth Management Act to periodically update its CAO to incorporate new information. The county has worked with a citizens’ advisory committee to help with the update. They recently completed a CAO they believe will preserve the health, beauty and quality of life in the San Juans for current and future generations.
CAO committee members donated many hours to this complicated and demanding work. We commend them for their diplomacy and collective wisdom as they balanced environmental protection with property rights. Members of the Marine Resources Committee participated on the committee, provided science to support the work, and made recommendations on a number of issues.
The MRC took part in this effort in response to guidance we received in 2007, when we brought the San Juan Marine Stewardship Area Plan to 200 community members to identify strategies they would be willing to support to protect marine resources. One strategy receiving strong support was improving management of upland activities to protect marine resources. Helping the county develop fair and balanced land use laws through the CAO is one way we achieve this goal.
Some of the best ways to protect marine resources, such as keeping natural vegetation next to water, using construction practices to reduce runoff and erosion, and minimizing construction of bulkheads and docks are supported through the CAO. Planted buffers shade beaches where forage fish lay their eggs, providing food for salmon and other animals. Eelgrass beds provide food and shelter for teeming marine life. Preserving the natural erosion of bluffs maintains sediments for beaches.
If we fail to protect these species and habitats, ecosystem health erodes by one frog, turtle, or orca calf at a time and few will notice the loss. If a wetland, eelgrass meadow, or favorite clam digging spot disappears, some may notice, but it becomes increasingly difficult to restore the loss. In the end, the legacy we leave is less than what we were blessed to receive.
CAO work is guided by two powerful compasses. The first is science, which helps us predict the consequences of our actions on the environment. Best available science provides case studies documenting harm from certain types of shoreline and upland development as well as the benefits from developing in a different way. Public participation is the other compass. The CAO committee completed a draft ordinance in an open and transparent process. The county will present the draft at three meetings next week. This is your opportunity to share your thoughts on how to meet the challenges of growth while preserving for our children the quality of life we value.
The meetings are: June 15, San Juan Island, Mullis Fire Hall, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., June 16, Lopez, Community Center, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and June 17, Orcas, Eastsound Fire Station, 3:45 to 6:15 p.m.
Kit Rawson is Chair, Jim Slocomb is Vice Chair, and Mary Knackstedt is Coordinator of the MRC.
