I have to say I agree with Monica. Salmon recovery is of critical importance in this state and they are far more endangered than the birds using this area. As a birder, yes, it is a special and deservedly famous place with a long-standing history. But putting some (not all) of it back to its natural state makes sense, especially when nature is trying so hard to do that and it would be a continuing great expense to prevent it. There are more species on this earth than just birds, and many of them depend on the fish that have been hit so hard in every way in Puget Sound. I would ask everyone to take the larger view and not just have an emotional response to loss of part of a beloved habitat that happens to support our particular pastime. Estuarine habitat is so scarce these days that any opportunity to restore it should be welcomed. Take it from someone who's worked on cleaning up and restoring aquatic areas my whole career - I was a little shocked at the negativity toward this. Has anyone been to Nisqually lately? Lots of people derided the restoration plans and efforts there and probably still do. But you can hardly say that it is no longer good habitat for birds, and it is far better habitat (and will be even more so once it has fully equilibrated) for the rest of the ecosystem. Give it a chance - you might be surprised at what good things may come.

Teresa Michelsen
Olympia WA

-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu [mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Monica Van der Vieren
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2015 3:46 PM
To: marlin greene; tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Eide Road concern


Hi Marlin,
I don't know that this is a birds vs. salmon issue. I live behind a dike that doesn't get battered as much as that one and know very well from past attempts at financing repairs how monumentally expensive it is to implement repairs and then keep them going (we couldn't afford it). For the massive amount of cost of public dollars it will take to permit, engineer, repair and maintain those dikes, it might be far more cost-effective to do a setback to protect area properties and roads, let the area turn into nearshore habitat, and replace the property with another purchase that is less at risk. People may not be aware of the monumental design, review and permitting processes required to support diking an area, and you're adding to that justification of those dikes for upland birds that are not endangered when we as a population are seriously impacting marine species (including orcas). You might give WDFW a productive way out of an expensive nightmare by suggesting a replacement property for upland birds for hunters (who do a huge amount of conservation, by the way) and those of use who have the dubious aim of Dick Cheney and therefore do not hunt but just watch wildlife. :)Monica

-----Original Message-----
>From: marlin greene <marlin at oneearthimages.com>
>Sent: Feb 12, 2015 12:35 PM
>To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
>Subject: [Tweeters] Eide Road concern
>
>The situation at Eide Road is sad for photographers, birders, and mostly for the many birds of varied species that love to stop by there.
>
>I have a lot if background information on the property, the WDFW studies, the tension between hunters and non-violent visitors and the importance of the site to birds at my website: FriendsofEideRoad.org
>
>It was my hope when Eide Road (Leque Island) was first designated as a target for restoration that a part of the decision making process would be the consideration of making it non-hunting. I even had the outlandish idea of repurposing it as the state's first wildlife photography reserve. I got very little support from anyone. Even Audubon would not get behind the no-hunting proposal.
>
>I have attended all the WDFW "stakeholder" meetings over the past couple of years. The bottom line that is being presented is that there is no funding for any restoration proposal that does not involve flooding. There is federal "salmon recovery" money available for creating a flood plane. The salmon trump the birds. The hunters trump the birders.
>
>An Audubon designated critical bird habitat will be under salt water.
>
>
>> Marlin Greene: One Earth Images
>> 105 NW 75th Street
>> Seattle, WA 98117
>> www.oneearthimages.com
>> Ph: 206.784.1641
>
>There is no planet B
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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