Thank you for posting this.
It is truly terrible what some unconscionable people do in our region. I
was at the Auburn M Street Marsh two weeks ago and some people had set up a
big tent (gone now), but used the path to the back pond as a human toilet
with feces all over the place. There is dangerous trash all over. I used to
feel comfortable going there, but last week, in the middle of the road, two
cars met in the middle of the road facing in opposite directions, clearly
doing a drug deal. I didn't even get out of my car.
It is sad, because we live in such a beautiful, rich area for enjoying
nature.
Beverly.
On Thu, Jun 10, 2021 at 9:07 AM Martha Jordan <
mj.cygnus at gmail.com> wrote:
>
Sadly, too many people with bad actions have lead to another summer closer
>
of the Big Ditch Access Area in Skagit County. Here is the WDFW press
>
release text sent out earlier this week:
>
>
*Big Ditch Access Area near Stanwood will close until Oct. 1*
>
>
MILL CREEK -; Due to significant impacts caused by unlawful activities and
>
a need to protect public safety, the Big Ditch Access Area
>
<https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/water-access-sites/30492> along Pioneer
>
Highway near Stanwood will be closed June 9 through Oct. 1, 2021. Dike
>
district personnel and neighboring farm owners will still have
>
administrative access.
>
>
Belinda Rotton, wildlife area manager for the Washington Department of
>
Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), said the site has seen high levels of trash
>
dumping, vandalism, and target shooting. Area visitors and neighbors have
>
complained about these activities and the local dike district is concerned
>
about potential infrastructure damages.
>
>
Bird watchers and waterfowl hunters use the site most often for access to
>
the Skagit Bay Estuary during the fall and winter.
>
>
"Since we're seeing most of the site challenges in the summer, we think
>
the seasonal closure can help address issues with a relatively low
>
recreational impact," said Rotton.
>
>
The Big Ditch Access Area is within the Skagit Wildlife Area
>
<https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/wildlife-areas/skagit-wildlife-area>,
>
which contains a little over 16,700 acres of wildlife habitat, including
>
open water, island shoreline, tidal mudflats and marshes, forested uplands,
>
and managed agricultural (diked) lands. This range of habitats provide
>
necessary resources for aquatic and terrestrial species such as ducks,
>
geese, swans, raptors, and shorebirds.
>
>
By actively managing lands, restoring habitats, and preserving wild
>
places, WDFW serves as stewards for Washington's natural places, protecting
>
the state's land and water for people, fish, and wildlife. WDFW works to
>
preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while
>
providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial
>
opportunities.
>
Martha Jordan
>
Everett, WA
>
>
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>
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>
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>
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>
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