I'm looking for information about a conservation issues, and while Tweeters
is devoted to birds, perhaps someone can give me some insight into a matter
with apparent implications for bird conservation. Waterfront property
owners (we live on Long Lake, just outside Lacey) have received a notice
that on 7 July at 3:30 p.m. the Thurston County Commissioners will be
holding a session to decide if the bottom of our lakes are wetlands and
subject to a 200-ft critical area setback. The decision will impact all
waterfront activities in Thurston County, says the notice. Does this make
sense to anyone? At first blush, it looks like a stupid question: of course
they are wet, but they obviously aren't "land" in the ordinary sense. I'm
trying to imagine the implications of declaring them wetlands, both from the
viewpoint of conservation (perhaps mandating that certain kinds of
destructive activities should not be allowed) and from the viewpoint of
land-owners trying to preserve our land to enhance its natural ecological
condition but also enjoy it for non-harmful recreation (swimming and quiet
boating). I would be most grateful for insights from anyone.

Burt Guttman guttmanb at evergreen.edu
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA 98505 360-456-8447
Home: 7334 Holmes Island Road S.E., Olympia 98503



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