Report Derelict Fishing Gear

ig_Otter_in_Net-1 (69k image)
(Otter in net -NSI photo)

In the San Juan Islands, there is an average of 13 derelict fishing nets per shoreline mile, with much higher local concentrations in heavily fished areas. Nets continue to catch marine life indiscriminately and can significantly smother and/or damage marine habitats.

In San Juan county in August 2006 a fishing boat suffered mechanical problems and had to be towed in to port. The net was cut because the boat equipment could not function to bring it on board. The boat captain reported the incident and provided the location to the derelict gear hotline hosted by WDFW (Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife).

The net was removed seven days later, but after only a week in the water, the impact of this single net was astounding. Found in the net were:

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Open letter to Parliament Member Keith Martin:

ig_MP_Keith_Martin-1 (34k image) (The following letter from Gordy Petersen was sent to Liberal Minister of Parliament Keith Martin -photo right)

Dear Mr. Martin,

From the recent coverage “ “Victoria sewage raising a stink on San Juans” and a video that was broadcast in the local news, I understand that you wish a public apology from me for saying that the plastic feminine hygiene debris I found on the beaches of neighboring San Juan Island was flushed down Victoria’s toilets. I am truly sorry. Yes these items are gross. I am not absolutely certain they came from your toilets. The evidence is circumstantial.

I think you may have missed my point. My point was that there are people living just 10 miles across Haro Straight that are very concerned about the untreated sewage that comes our way on the tide. I don’t understand why some of your top scientists and health professionals think it is pure and natural to pollute the sea with raw sewage.

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Project Recommends Formation of San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild

By Eliza Buck

“Eat Local” is a way of life for many residents in the San Juan Islands. We are fortunate to have weekly Farmers’ Markets giving us access to Island raised produce, berries, flowers, meat, eggs and dairy products, as well as local seafood and shellfish. The markets also feature freshly cooked and prepared foods made from local ingredients.

An active vibrant Farmers’ Market is an invaluable asset to the community. Conversely, community support is essential to its success. The San Juan Island Farmers’ Market, which over the past ten years, has expanded to over 40 vendors, is such a success story.

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Agricultural Plastics Recycling Events

Please save your plastic nursery pots and flats, baling twine, plastic soil amendment bags, and hay bale wrap! If the materials are dry and relatively clean (shake off any soil), they will be accepted FREE at this year’s agricultural plastics recycling events from noon to 4 p.m.

Orcas Island: Saturday May 3rd, County solid waste facility
San Juan Island: Sunday, May 4th, County Fairgrounds, 4-H building
Lopez Island: Saturday, May 17th, County solid waste facility

IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO SORT YOUR NURSERY POTS BY NUMBER THIS YEAR!!!! Please do stack them by size and shape to facilitate storing and transporting them. Turn soil amendment bags inside out to shake out any remaining contents. Look for future display ads in your island’s newspaper for more details.

Recycled agricultural plastics are used to make truck bed liners, drain pipe, plastic lumber for benches, posts and pilings, automotive parts, tool handles, and trash bags.

WSU Beach Watchers Graduates Class Of 2008

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The third class of San Juan County/WSU Beach Watchers
graduated April 24th after attending nearly 100 hours of classroom training and field experience about the San Juan County marine and watershed environment.

The new class of Beach Watchers included 10 members from Orcas Island, 2 from Lopez and 9 from San Juan Island. Extension Director Tom Schultz and Program Coordinator Shann Weston addressed the graduating class and handed out Graduation Certificates to the new WSU Beach Watcher Volunteers.

Says Weston, "I have been honored to coordinate Beach Watchers' Training for these special volunteers. Many instructors have contributed to make this experience informative and valuable. The Beach Watchers now have an opportunity to give back to their community with service hours."

The new 2008 WSU Beach Watcher Volunteers are:

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Who Should Be Allowed To Use Turtleback Mountain?

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The Land Bank Commission held their regular monthly meeting in Eastsound on April 11th.and the first hour of the meeting was for public comment regarding the Management Plan (Draft Stewardship and Management Plan) for Turtleback Mountain.

There were about 40 members of the community present, included citizens from Lopez Island; San Juan Island; Center Island, and Orcas Island. Many of the speakers were passionate in their testimony, with a majority speaking in favor of multi-use trails on Turtleback.
There were speakers against any public use, and a few who spoke in favor of restricting access to hikers only. The current restrictions include: No camping; No fires; No hunting; No firearms; No vehicles; No bicycles; No horses, and No commercial use,

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Oil Spill Workshops on SJ & Orcas

2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Oil-Spill Response Strategies Workshop, at the Mullis Community Senior

3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Oil-Spill Response Strategies Workshop at the Orcas Fire Department

The public is invited to help the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) and U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard) update and improve site-specific oil-spill response strategies used for the San Juan Islands, called geographic response plans.

Ecology and the Coast Guard will hold two workshops this week - one in Friday Harbor and one in Eastsound - where citizens, resource managers, spill response contractors and oil-industry representatives can help identify any new information that might make the strategies more effective.

Geographic response plans are oil-spill response strategies tailored to reduce the effects of oil spills to sensitive areas along beaches, shores, or waterways.

The first workshop will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 11, at the Mullis Community Senior Center, 589 Nash St., Friday Harbor.

The second workshop will be conducted from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, at the Orcas Island Fire Department, 45 Lavender Lane, Eastsound.

The goals of the workshops are to:
* Provide information about the use and expectations of geographic response plans during spill incidents. * Solicit local information to update existing geographic response plans, including site access points such as boat ramps and marinas, sensitive natural resources, cultural resources and significant economic resources. * Ensure that those attending understand the plan updating process and provided the opportunity to participate.

For more information about geographic response plans, the San Juan Island workshops and the site-specific response plan updating process: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/preparedness/GRP/GRPWorkshop.htm Ecology's Web site: http://www.ecy.wa

More Bluebirds Released In San Juan County

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(Pair Of Bluebirds In Transport To San Juan Island)

In March of 2007 four pairs of bluebirds were released on San Juan Island as part of a program to reintroduce Bluebirds to San Juan County. Three months later three baby Blue Birds were born, and while there were sporadic sightings, all sightings came to an end after the annual migration season started. So far they have not returned, or if they have. they have yet to be spotted.

On Friday and Saturday, additional pairs of the birds were released from small aviaries on San Juan Island as part of the ongoing program.

Please let SJ Audubon know if you see any groups of bluebirds in the San Juans or adjacent counties. Call San Juan Islands Audubon, Barbara Jensen, 360-378-308 or San Juan Preservation Trust, Kathleen Foley, 360-378-2461.

This five year project is sponsored by: San Juan Islands Audubon, San Juan Preservation Trust, American Bird Conservancy and EcoStudies Institute. Call if you would like to donate to or participate in this project.