Connie,
Thank you for your commentary on the situation. Unfortunately for Ruth, she got it from the Sewage Ponds manager, about people not going on the boardwalk. At the risk of jeopardizing any birder from getting on the other side of the fence, was required by him to relay the message via tweeters. However the fact is that some of his employees seemed oblivious to this rule. Although my email bleeped her message about the situation, and I didn't read it, I know she was personally hesitant to post this. However, when other emails popped up, she really had no choice but to comply.
We have had one, maybe two places taken away by birders non-compliance to follow the rules, Brady Loop Ponds; where some great shorebirds have come in being one of them, the other I was not familiar with, and don't remember anything about it. At least if we respect the Manager's rules at Hoquiam STP, we should still be able to enjoy the opportunity of getting up close and personal with our favorite birds, at least the skulking ones!!!
Vicki Biltz Bonney Lake Wa. vickibiltz at msn.com