Concerns about port master plan | Letters

The Port of Orcas presented DOWL’s alternative options for their Master Plan choices and requested comment. The vast majority of citizen comments favored “No Build/No Growth” with minor improvements, for a variety of good reasons stated (partially available at www.portoforcas.com). Hundreds of islanders signed a petition favoring the same.

This week many of us attended the “big reveal” Port/DOWL events, viewed the plan, listened to presentations and asked questions.

To date, our “No Build/No Growth” input has been ignored. The currently proposed plan and expansion is at odds also with the county’s vision statement and the EPRC vision statement. This “follow the consultants” approach (with a $600,000 price tag!) has produced a draft plan wildly out of sync with islanders’ self-determination.

Some concerns:

• The port’s demonstrated limited ability to deal properly with wetland issues.

• Allowing B2 commercial planes to dictate Port needs.

• Mt. Baker Road relocation.

• Increased noise, traffic and congestion.

Lack of mitigation/noise abatement plans;

• Negative impact on the vital Brandt’s Landing Marina.

• Developing the former dog park corner into a mini-industrial park with new hangars, parking, a helipad, taxiways and relocated terminal.

• A commercial park at the end of the already-beleaguered Seaview neighborhood.

• Requiring privately held property to the west and east, seriously affecting neighborhood property rights and values.

• Lack of economic and other impact studies.

Any and all further public comments are due by Oct. 4. Please speak up now to your elected commissioners and orcasmasterplan@dowl.com.