Keep oyster projectaway from Dungeness refuge

Our Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is in jeopardy of being environmentally and visually degraded unless the oyster harvesting lease awarded to a private commercial enterprise is not rescinded.

In a 49 page decision-making document from the U.S. Army Corps Engineers (ASACE), to paraphrase, they admitted that this private endeavor will negatively impact fish and wildlife use and their populations, benthos, sediment dynamics, eelgrass, and present an undesirable visual impact for the visiting public.

They also summarized that the applicant will benefit from financial gain, and community jobs “may” be realized, which outweighed the project’s detrimental effects. “May” is not a job forecast, and their benefit rationale is absurd, having admitted a detriment to virtually every aspect of the refuge.

“Refuge” means, in part, to protect, and save from harm and intrusion. Oyster farming isn’t that.

Sequim’s Dungeness Spit and Refuge is one of Sequim’s natural splendors, with breathtaking and for some…spiritual ambiance. A highly, overwhelmingly coveted spectacle, awe-inspiring and enjoyed by millions of visitors and locals. Sequimites take pride in being its dedicated steward, and in return, its beneficiary. Let’s not harm our gift.

The lease is a display of disregard for wildlife, the refuge, and people. Money before people? We see that far too often.

Don Lundine

Sequim

Hope perseveres in latest election

Every once in a while, a lone ray of hope pierces the gloom in which we seem of late, to live. One such, is the illuminating victory of the five Sequim City Council candidates, put forth by the Sequim Good Governance League.

When so much seems lost in the way of civility and it is not too much to say sanity, it gladdens the heart to see the thousand-plus voters in our city who voted to eliminate the William Armacost-led block of councilors who like him have spewed their vile message far, far too long.

Although I did not know former City manager Charlie Bush, I do know many of the city employees and to a person every one of them felt he was an effective, empathetic leader. And, every one of them felt that he was unfairly fired (I know, he was “asked to resign” — same thing!)

I look forward to the new council members taking their seats, when we will relish the end of Armacost’s rabid, destructive dominance on the council, or even more, the back of him as he slinks away to his Q-infected nest.

Pat Clark

Sequim