Desperate times, desperate measures
Opponents of Towne Road in overdrive
Public records reveal a flurry of recent efforts to keep a historical link between communities severed. The local chapter of the Sierra Club, Protect the Peninsula’s Future, and legal counsel representing the Dungeness Levee Trail Advocates have contacted County leaders attempting to take Towne Road away from the taxpayers who have funded the public, county right-of-way. Much of the language in the following letters is eerily similar to the letter received from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and the first and second communications from the Jamestown Tribe.
February 1, 2024
Dear Clallam County Board of Commissioners:
On behalf of the Sierra Club North Olympic Group, with 1200 members on the North Olympic Peninsula, we seek your support and intervention in a matter of great environmental significance - the proposed paving within the Dungeness River Floodplain area and the adjacent Dungeness Levee Trail. This proposal, if executed, stands in stark contrast to the values and mission of the Sierra Club, as well as our shared commitment to protecting and preserving our natural resources.
Sierra Club's Mission and the Dungeness River Area
The Sierra Club's mission to "explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth" resonates deeply with our cause. The Dungeness River area, with its rich biodiversity and natural beauty, embodies the wild places that the Sierra Club has pledged to protect. The proposed road construction threatens not only the ecological balance of this area but also the opportunity for people to connect with nature in its purest form.
All-Inclusive Access and Outdoor Enjoyment
In alignment with Sierra Club's objectives, the current levee trail is a testament to inclusive outdoor access. It is frequented by individuals of diverse abilities, including those using walkers, wheelchairs, strollers, and other human-powered transport. This inclusivity is crucial in fostering a connection with nature among all community members, an ethos deeply embedded in Sierra Club’s vision.
Environmental Concerns and Lack of Planning for the Proposed Road
Of grave concern is the lack of a comprehensive plan to address the environmental impacts of paving on the bordering floodplain and wetlands areas. These areas are crucial habitats for migrating birds and waterfowl, and paving could significantly disrupt these ecosystems. Furthermore, there seems to be no concrete strategy in place for managing pollution and litter control, which are inevitable consequences of road construction and increased human activity. The absence of such planning reflects a disregard for the ecological significance of the area and the well-being of its diverse wildlife.
Financial and Environmental Implications of Paving
Paving the area would not only disrupt the habitat but also impose financial liabilities, contrary to the financial asset that the current open space represents. Sierra Club's commitment to a clean and just economy, which emphasizes reducing pollution and protecting communities, is directly relevant in this context. The natural space, if preserved, will continue to provide ecological, recreational, and economic benefits without the burdens associated with paved roads.
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe's Stance and Environmental Impact
The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe has played a pivotal role in the environmental stewardship of this area. Their recommendation for a minimum three-year waiting period to assess the environmental impact of paving aligns with Sierra Club’s principle of promoting responsible use of earth's ecosystems. Their contributions and insights should be given significant weight in any decision-making process.
Conclusion and Call to Action
In conclusion, paving within the Dungeness River Floodplain would be a direct contradiction of Sierra Club’s mission and the collective effort towards environmental preservation. We urge the Board of Commissioners to take a firm stance against this proposal and advocate for the continued protection of this vital natural area.
We look forward to your support and collective action in preserving the Dungeness River Floodplain and Levee Trail for future generations.
Sincerely,
Darlene Schanfald
Chair
Other similar projects have successfully included a road along the restoration project.
“King County successfully completed the 145-acre Fall City Floodplain Restoration Project, improving habitat and protecting farmland and homes along the Snoqualmie River.
Crews embedded logs in the historical and new side channels they excavated to add ecological complexity. They installed underground flood protection structures along a newly aligned road that runs along the right bank. Along the left bank, crews installed an earthen berm that protects farmland from increased flood risks while reforesting the area with native plants.”
https://www.kingcounty.gov/so-so/dept/dnrp/about-king-county/about-dnrp/newsroom/news-releases/04-24-fall-city-floodplain-restoration
From Nick Kristof's latest book: "I'd still argue that journalism is a calling with purpose and meaning. We tilt at windmills for a reason, and occasionally we hit something....is an act of hope. It rests on the conviction that excavating the truth makes a difference, that sunlight is a disinfectant for government, that reporting can be a battering ram on behalf of people suffering injustice."
Keep up shining that light and stay pesky!!!!