The takeaway here is that a homeowner appears to have ignored multiple cease and desist orders, and knowingly went ahead with construction of a bulkhead when the state and federal laws were clear that he needed permission first. The continued creation and rebuilding of bulkheads on the waters edge (see photo in the article), is an ongoing destruction of shoreline habitat that used to be used by the variety of species using the shore, many of whom are on the brink of extinction. Hard choices *have* to be made to stop this destruction and that sometimes means saying no to people.
It seems clear that it is ridiculous to say, as their attorney stated, that the bulkhead was not, “in the water” as the photo clearly shows water line markings from a high tide at some point in time, likely recently. Is the bulkhead submerged when at high tide?
The article also includes a good graphic showing the ways bulkheads destroy the beach environment.
A judge ruled the structure was built in Hood Canal without a proper permit, and now the homeowner faces a $250,000 fine. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)
Filed under: Environmental Law, Environmental Protection, Mason County | Tagged: Bulkheads, Environmental Protection, epa, hood canal, shoreline |
As I can imagine there has to be rules and guidelines to prevent people from doing irresponsible things. How ever when it comes to one’s home that don’t come cheap or easy to obtain I think there are exceptions that should made for every rule. As far as the pollution or damage to the environment that has to be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. So let me see if I understand this a lil bit the state actually has the authority to save a clam or oyster and not a family’s home. They’ve done this several time in the past with the logging industry only to find out their data was incorrect and there was no threat to extinctions. As I’m sure there have been many other people that have suffered because these irresponsible reports. As far as the pollution you can’t dig a clam any we’re else in the state pretty much because of sewage storm run off the mills the submarine base on the hood canal so in short the state should think about cleaning up there own back yards before micro managing what we the people need to do to save our homes