Hello,
Just a note to let you all know that the largest interdunal wetland in
Washington (and likely the US west coast, perhaps even the whole US) at the
north end of the Long Beach Peninsula in Pacific County, WA is a bit safer
today. The criminal trials are over, all three culprits have plead guilty
to destroying The Trumpeter Swan Society's dune property and draining the
800 acre wetland into Willapa Bay. The restitution has been ordered for
$35,100 (hopefully we will collect soon). This is a precedent setting case
and brings us closer to a more secure future for the marsh.
Meanwhile, the water control structure at the north end of the marsh is
in need of repair. We are working hard with State Parks to remedy this
problem. Cooperation is great. AND one of our best partners is Ducks
Unlimited. They have agreed to assist us with this effort. There will be
no hunting in the State Park and in most of the marsh. However, they see
the need for conservation of this very important wetland system. We still
have a long way to go to make the new control structure a reality, but
thanks to DU we are one giant step closer.
And a big thanks to Dept. of Fish and Wildlife law enforcement officers
Dan Bolton and Sgt. Mike Cenci. Without these two going the extra distance,
the case of the dune vandalism would never have been solved nor brought to
such a postive outcome. I also want to publicly thank all the people who
worked behind the scenes to help make the dune restoration repair possible
and bring this significant environmental crime to such a positive
conclusion.

Martha Jordan
marthaj at premier1.net