Wildlife Update Comments - 7/27/08

Wildlife Update Comments. We thought we would pass on some of the wildlife update comments received over the past 2 days. Note that we don't indicate who they are from unless they have given us permission.

I love the wildlife reports! The parrot may be the one owned by Audrey Boyer. Although I have not seen "Bird" for several years, it used to fly freely in the neighborhood. It was not lost, or escaped, and returned to its home on Oceanview by evening. It could make a pretty good imitation of a crow and was frequently seen flying with a flock of those birds.

While sitting in my den looking out over the water, I saw a solid gray eagle. It was NOT a Heron. I looked in The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds book and there is such a bird as a Gray Sea Eagle. I've only seen it once, and as I said before it was not a Heron. Have you heard anything about this kind of Eagle?

My wife has seen a white/cream colored pheasant on Illahee Rd, north of 3rd. Not sure if it is a domestic or wild bird.

Thanks for including my question abut the doves in the previous newsletter. I posted three of the little webcam movies up on a webpage. They show a little more detail than the still I sent earlier. If you know someone who is interested, you could forward them this link. http://www.alberts-astro.com/misc/index.html

However, WARNING, the clips are pretty big, about 7 megs, so a dialup user would have to wait for hours to see the clips.

I would agree as noted below, the birds seem larger than those I'm used to seeing. When I first saw them I thought... What the heck are those seagulls doing in that tree???? That's how big they look from my distance.

Al Tuttle

Al - Thanks for sharing your photos and your web page. The white birds have been a puzzlement for many in Illahee and we were hoping someone would come forth and tell us who was raising these birds. We actually had one of them land in a tree next to our house so I got to see one up close and my take on it was it was a raised pigeon and they were being bred to maintain their white feathers. When I was young we used to raise pigeons in our back yard and it is not easy to get a group of all one color.

When our kids were young we went to the Illahee dock at a high tide in a dingy and got a squab (young pigeon - the pigeons nest in stringers under the dock and it is easy to get the young ones at high tide) that was just beginning to feather and kept it for a pet for awhile (the kids named it Andrew) until it flew into the house one day and landed on one of the blades of the ceiling fan. Our son said he could get Andrew down by turning on the fan, which was enough justification for my wife to have us take our pet back to the dock to release it. She was worried it would someday get back into the house and fly into the fan and she would have a bloody mess to clean up. It was okay as a pet on the deck, but not in her house. Anyway, that is my pigeon story and my take that they are pigeons.

Jim those were great reports on wildlife. I for sure sited a dove, and it sounded like a Mourning Dove. Rock pigeons coo differently :) I'm not sure ring neck doves have the same call the Mourning Dove has, but I could be wrong.

Great on the Midshipman! yes they are fun fish, maybe someone can catch one for Illahee days!

Weed Expert to Talk on Tuesday. The county's Noxious Weed Coordinator, Dana Coggon, is the brown bag lunch speaker at the Norm Dick's Center on Tuesday, July 29th, from 12-1pm. She will have some examples of noxious weeds and has also said we are welcome to bring any weeds we need help with identification. We have found these brown bag meetings to be informative and there is usually nearby parking available then.


Jim Aho

Illahee Outfall Appeal Update -7/26/08

Update on the Illahee Outfall Appeal. It has been over a month since the Illahee Community Club decided to appeal the locating of a 42 inch diameter stormwater outfall at the Illahee Community Dock and we have been asked to provide an update. The original notice went out as an update on June 19th and is included at the bottom of this email.

Things are Happening Quickly. The pre-hearing conference was held this past Thursday (7-24-08) and everything seems to be on a fast track, with Discovery (a legal term we are just learning about) to be completed by August 4, 2008. Some other legal item needs to be completed in early September, with the hearing dates scheduled for October 7 & 8, 2008 (The first day will be at a location in Kitsap County and the second day will be at the Board's hearing room in Lacy, Washington.) We will provide more information when the pre-hearing conference results are published by the Shorelines Hearings Board.

Thank You to Those Who Have Already Donated! Donations in support of the appeal continue to trickle in which is encouraging to the ICC Board of Directors and they thank you for your help.

Status of Donations. Approximately half of the funds (about $4000) have been raised for lawyer fees. The Club is still working on an expert witness list and will need to determine those costs.

This is not where community members want to spend their money but they also have stated to the Club that they don't want to roll over and let another injustice be done in and to our community.

Contributions Still Needed. Contributions are tax deductible, as allowed by law, since the Community Club reorganized in December 2007 as a 501.c.3 organization. They can be sent to the Illahee Community Club, P.O. Box 2563, Bremerton, WA 98310. Please note on gifts that they are for the Outfall Legal Fund.


This link is to the 6/19/08 Update that described the SHB appeal.

Where to Contribute? The Illahee Community Club, P.O. Box 2563, Bremerton, WA 98310-0332.

Wildlife Update - 7/25/08

Midshipman Fish. One of the more common fish in the area is the midshipman fish, though seldomly seen. Recently when showing some visitors the beach area during a low tide we lifted some rocks to see what was under them. What we saw were yellow eggs on the underside of the rock and a midshipman fish underneath.

The midshipman is a nocturnal fish that buries itself during the day. During breeding season the male digs out an area under a rock and sends out a 100 hertz humming sound to attach females who them lay their eggs on the underside of the rock. She then moves on and he continues to try and attract more females and also guards the eggs.

When talking with some long time residents they say these fish have always been around and one said they call them croakers because when touched on the head they emit a croaking sound. There is much more on these fish on the internet. Someone reported they are under every bigger rock in Illahee and discovered three fish under one rock. We will try to get some photos for a future update.

Illahee Dock Report. The report from the dock is that it has been a good year for red rock crab. There are also lots of shiner perch (poggies) around and also large schools of small salmon seen swimming by. One poggie fisherman caught a 10 inch Chinook salmon which had its adipose fin cut off indicating it was a hatchery fish. We are beginning to have a better understanding of why the nearshore beach areas are so important for a healthy Puget Sound and for Chinook. Some rock cod have been caught, but no reports of catches of piling perch that used to be common around the dock.

Sediment Depth at the Dock. A check on the amount of mud or sediment at the base of the shore side float revealed the depth of the mud was 30 inches at the south end, and 24 inches at the north end. Not that many years ago divers would collect squid jigs that had gotten caught on the rocks under the floats. The good news for jiggers is that they aren't losing their lures, but the bad news is sediment is accumulating under the dock at an alarming rate. It is an indication of the amount of sediment that is coming down from Illahee Creek during storm events, and the reason the Port of Illahee is concerned about the creek and the depth of water at the floats.

White Pigeons/Doves? We received several emails regarding the white pigeons/doves, but nothing about who might be raising them or where in Illahee they might reside. We also received a sighting of a parrot that evidently got lose. Here are two of the pigeon/dove responses.

Of course it's hard to tell without seeing the bird in life, but it looks to me like a white variant of your basic rock dove (Columba livia), which is the bird that hangs around in parks and that everyone calls a pigeon. I found a nice pic of a white pigeon at a University of Hawaii web page: http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/biology101/birds/campus_birds.htm

Another candidate might be the ringneck dove (Streptopelia risoria), which is the kind that's commonly kept as pets and inappropriately released at weddings or other celebratory events. I can't be certain from the photo, but the size and shape of what the folks have been seeing at Illahee looks a little more robust than a typical ringneck dove. Here's a link to a page with a bunch of color variants of S. risoria: http://www.dovepage.com/species/domestic/Ringneck/ringneckcolorlist.html. You can see that most of those individuals look a little daintier than the birds that are in the photo you got from Jim.

The following response was received from a former president of the Seattle Audubon Society.

Pigeons:

Varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants from the Rock Pigeon Columba livia , (formerly called Rock Dove).

These appear to be a white morph (form) of the Rock Pigeon. You can see many of these morphs just by looking at a flock of "city pigeons", almost all Rock Pigeons fit into one of these morph patterns. They may have been bred by someone to dominate the white morph. Cornell University has done a great deal of study of Rock Pigeon morphs and these can be seen by Googling their website or other Rock Pigeon websites.

Pigeon Color Morphs

blue-bar

This bird has two black or dark gray stripes or "bars" on each light-gray wing. It has a dark-gray body and shiny, rainbow-like neck feathers.

red-bar

This bird has two red stripes or "bars" on each light-gray wing. It also has a rusty-red or brown shade to its body.

spread

This bird has one dark color spread all over its body.

red

This bird has a rusty-red or brown shade to its body and light-gray bars on its wings.

checker

This bird looks a little like a checkerboard. Its wing feathers have checks of light and dark.

pied white

This bird has white as well as other colors on its body. The "pied white flight" has white wing feathers, which are easy to see when the bird is flying.

pied splash

The "pied splash" pigeon has one or more spots of white.

white

This bird is solid white. This color morph is what some people call a dove of peace.

Keep sending us your reports. We will eventually get them out to the community.


Jim Aho

Illahee Day! - 7/24/08

Illahee Day is Saturday, August 9, 2008. We have heard there have been food donations and there will be displays regarding some of the current Illahee issues in addition to the other events.

The Port of Illahee Presents

“ILLAHEE   DAY  2008” 

Come help us celebrate the ILLAHEE COMMUNITY. 

Where:  ILLAHEE DOCK                      When: Saturday August 9, 2008 

Time:  11:00am – 4:00pm 

What:       BIGGEST Little Parade in ILLAHEE.  Kids decorate your bike or wagon!  March with your neighbor and play a tune on your instrument!  Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Illahee sport teams, come on down!

What:   Trees and Treetures with Jim Trainer 

Come see and learn about our giant trees in the Park and the treetures that live there.  Identify the treetures  by their sounds, fur, claws, skulls, scat, tracks and everything a treeture leaves in the forest.

Guided walk in the Illahee Forest up the Illahee Creek.  Bring Boots  

Drinks                    Snacks                      Fun

What:   Tide touch pool for Kids.  Divers will bring up creatures from the deep and place in pools to observe and touch. (approx 12:30pm – 3:00pm) 

What:    Central Kitsap Fire Dept. Display.   Fire Truck and Aid Car

What:     Kitsap County Sheriff’s Patrol Boat

What:       Antique Cars       

What:       Public Officials and Candidates for Public Office.         Come and ask your questions.           

Parking on Illahee Road, South of Illahee North, past barricades. 

PLEASE do not block driveways.

Wildlife Update - 7/18/08

Bald Eagle Gets Canada Goose. On Thursday (7/17/08) residents north of the Illahee Community dock heard a loud commotion at the beach as a Bald Eagle went after a Canada goose. The goose lost the battle and ended up being food for two mature bald eagles. A very large brown eagle, either an immature bald eagle or as someone thought, a golden eagle, came by to look over the situation and was aggressively chased away by one of the mature bald eagles. We took a picture of the carcus of the goose which was well picked over. It is attached so as to verify the event. We have seen bald eagle take Great Blue Herons, but this is a first for seeing them take on a Canada goose. It is no wonder that the Canada geese seem apprehensive when they swim by a bald eagle up in a tree.

White Pigeons or Doves? Over the years Illahee residents have observed varying numbers of white pigeons or doves. Some of the residents remember seeing first a pair of the white birds, and then a few years later up to about 10 or more. Then, nothing until recently when the following report came through this week. If you have any information on these pure white birds please let us know and we will pass the information on. We have attached one of Al's photos.

You often send out wildlife sightings in these updates, and well... I'm trying to solve a little mystery. A couple years ago I noticed a group of fairly large white birds settling a the top of one of the tall fir trees (always the same one) near the shore. From my home near Ocean View & Madrona the tree is ENE.

The birds showed up 2 years ago and stayed through most of August. I didn't see them last year, but this year they have stopped and stayed perched in the tree a few times. Sometimes staying for a few minutes, sometimes hours. This year there are 7 of them... I think there were a few more two years ago.

I'm not a birder by any means, but I'd never seen any birds like this in the NW and I wondered what they were. I took some pictures and movies through my telescope and sent them to a birder I know. He thinks they are a non-native variety of Dove not native to North America, but is not sure. He wonders if maybe someone is raising them or if they're escapees.

I'm wondering if there is a local birder in the community that may have also noticed the birds, or may know what they are? Is there some way you could help me solve the puzzle?

Here's a couple pictures (not great I know, but not bad for a webcam and telescope at over a hundred yards).

Thanks for any help or ideas,

Area Beach Seining - 7/12/08

Area Beach Seines. There are several beach seining events around Kitsap County that happen regularly. The one that goes around Bainbidge Island has two seines which are in relative close proximity to Illahee. Point White is across from Illahee State Park, and Battle Point is across from University Point. In other words the seines are near the south and north ends of the Illahee Community boundaries.

Bainbridge Island Beach Seine. The Bainbridge Island beach seine is a research project of the City of Bainbridge Island in partnership with the Suquamish Tribe and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to study the presence and distribution of nearshore species.

Friday's Beach Seine. On Friday (7-11-08) two Illahee residents joined the seining group and recorded the event with pictures that were put into a movie type of format by John Lind. We will try to include more information on the types of fish in the area in subsequent updates. The attached sequence of photos gives an overview of a seining event. The opening photo is at Fay Bainbridge State Park where the first seine is conducted, and incidently where anyone can watch as it happens about 9 am every two weeks until November.

Previous Seahorse Reports. A few weeks ago we were asked if anyone else has seen seahorses in Illahee, other than the persons reporting them, and just recently received a verbal response from a long time resident. He indicated that over the years they have seen seahorses in the area, and reported one up to about 5-6 inches long that had gotten stranded at Schutt's Point.

Nothing in the Scientific Literature. There is nothing in the scientific literature that says there are seahorses anywhere around. Local marine biologists raise they eyebrows when we mentioned the possibility and asked if we weren't confusing this with a bay pipe fish that had somehow curled up since they also have round snouts.

We Need Help to Solve the Mystery. We are soliciting help in solving this seahorse mystery. Let us know any information you might have.

Jim Aho

Illahee Outfall Appeal to the SHB - 7/10/08

Appeal Filed. The proposed Illahee Outfall Project to put a 42 inch outfall at the base of the Illahee Community Dock has been appealed to the Shorelines Hearings Board (SHB) by the Illahee Community Club.

1980's Appeal. This is not the first time the Illahee community has appealed a proposed project to the SHB. At least twenty years ago community members successfully opposed a fish pen project the county had approved for the area (about a third of a mile north of the Illahee Community Dock). Aquaculture (salmon rearing pens) was a new business being introduced to the state at that time and a newly arrived Illahee shoreline resident successfully convinced the county that Illahee was a prime area for commercial salmon pens. The problem that residents, and eventually UW scientists realized (who testified for the community during the SHB hearings), was the tidal flushing actions were insufficient in Illahee to carry away and disperse the wastes. There were also concerns by the nearby neighbors with many of the commercial aspects associated with the project.

Small Illahee Group Funded the 80's Appeal. This previous situation required local citizens to take the County and the applicant to a state hearings board to see that the right thing was done. There weren't many citizens who came forward to support that appeal and it was costly for those who stepped forward. The Illahee Community Club wasn't active at the time so nearby residents organized the "Illahee Community Betterment Committee" to help with the fight. Their initial goal was to get 12 families to each contribute $500 for the appeal and they ended up with just enough money. They retained John Merkel, a respected and powerful Seattle attorney, which was one of the keys to their success, along with several UW professors. As we move forward with the present appeal it is good to remember this earlier SHB appeal and thank those who are still around for their efforts.

NIMBYISM? Was this previous appeal NIMBYISM (Not In My Back Yard)? It could appear so, but the concern was backed up by the scientists who agreed that the Illahee location was not appropriate. The Illahee group did not fight against fish pens when they were later located in Kitsap County where there was sufficient tidal movement.

SHB Hearing This Week. Two residents attended a SHB hearing on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week regarding the Harper Road Widening and Outfall Project. Tuesday the Board met at Long Lake and then met at the SHB headquarters in Lacy on Wednesday. The Illahee residents feel it is a benefit to get out of Kitsap County and before a board that is trained to handle these kind of issues. They also noted the importance of expert witnesses, and that the Harper group had some very good ones.

Lessons From Past Hearings. One of the lessons learned from talking with those involved with recent hearings is that the expert witnesses can cost as much or more than the lawyer. The fact is that these appeals cost significant dollars and emotional energy and a group or individual to take a leadership role in coordinating the efforts. The Illahee Community is fortunate to have an active Illahee Community Club board to take on these issues, not to mention the Port of Illahee who has filed papers to prohibit the running of the proposed outfall through the community dock's foundational structure.

Status of Appeal Funds. We understand approximately $3000 came in from the first email appeal that asked for 60 individuals to contribute $150. Many wanted more information regarding the appeal and asked if it was a wise use of their money, especially with the Timbers Edge project expected to be approved by the County soon. (Timbers Edge was a concern a few years ago and the community funded studies that showed the project would cause problems along the slopes, would affect the underlying aquifers, and could decrease the flow in Illahee Creek by 20% thereby jeopardizing salmon rearing. It appears at this point that the County has ignored or discounted those studies and is moving ahead to approve the project. This will likely be another fight with our County officials who are supposed to be watching out for our streams, aquifers, and salmon.)

Additional Financial Support is Needed! The Illahee Community Club needs additional significant support for appeals like the Illahee Outfall Project, though gifts of any amount will help. The goal is to spread out the costs among community members so no one takes too big a hit on their pocketbook. These fights are not what many of us want to be involved with, but since our County officials are not supporting us, we are left with no choice.

Periodic Updates. We have been asked to provide periodic updates, such as this one, on the status of Community Club's legal fund, and will try to do so every week or so. Let us know what questions you have and we will try to get answers.

Jim Aho

Wetlands Responses - 7/8/08

More Wetland Responses. We have received some more responses to the questions posed by an Illahee resident asking "why wetlands are so important" and are passing them on.

Wetland Info on Clear Creek Trail. "One of the displays on the Clear Creek Trail answers some of the questions posed by the person who witnessed the destruction of wetlands in Minnesota. We recommend he/she/they take the wetland tour hike on the north part of the trail and read about why wetlands are important and why they are supposed to be protected (hint Kitsap County)."

The Wetland Question Needs More Answers. The question "What is wrong with digging out a wetland area if it provides another building site" needs more answers.

The development of the property on Third Avenue between the streets called East and Sunset has not only destroyed vital sensitive wetlands but may have done so many other things to the property that the public is not aware of yet, and there-by caused issues to begin to exist on neighboring properties that have never existed before.

It seems that many people have figured out that those living North and East of this development are going to be suffering the consequences as well if they haven't already.

The area immediately adjacent and to the East of the property will be receiving more water now from the pumping and/or run off of the newly developed land. Interestingly on that adjacent property, the owners had to move their house South because of the prior standing water. This developer's rerouting of water could cause flooding in areas that usually don't flood and greater flooding issues in the areas that usually do flood. Does that make any sense?

This area has been known as the head waters for Gilberton Creek which is according to the Kitsap County Officials who are working to set a new culvert in the washed-out area less than three quarters of a mile north of Third Ave, considered a salmon regulated creek. Any thoughts on what this development will do towards keeping the creek viable?

What about the future residences of this property? Could there be any problems for them since this soil and area is poorly suited to dwellings because of the seasonal high water table. Did the developers find out what sustains the wetlands in this area? How will this development affect Perry Avenue Water?

Some of the benefits of Wetlands would be that they preserve the quality of water that seeps into aquifers; they protect surrounding land from rain storms and flooding; and facilitate fishery's goals. If the county government allows a the destruction of a wetlands by a developer and ultimately gets sued because of that action who's taxes pays off the claim? * see (Yamagiwa v. City of Half Moon Bay, 523 F. Supp. 2d 1036 (N.D. Cal. 2007).)

At least, this answer should open up a discussion on the subject.

And the Last Response. The United States is losing wetlands at an astounding rate. What is happening on third street is what's called a 'take' . What does that mean. A developer can fill in and develop a wetland as long as that amount of wetland taken is replaced somewhere else. The developer is responsible for mitigating or paying for replacing the wetland somewhere else. How do they do this? When a site is picked/designated for constructing a 'created wetland' the soils need to be almost completely excavated. Generally speaking the new soil/mediums used are layered in such a fashion as to allow a recreation of the hydrology that you would normally see in a natural wetland. In addition adjacent parcels as they are being developed will have excess water directed to the created wetland.

What is wrong with this. Plenty! This wetland was created over time by the natural process happening within the area. Excess water naturally flowed to this area and was conveyed as efficiently as possible to the sound. This natural occurrence became a problem when someone wanted that area to build a house. So extensive, manmade measures are undertaken (filling, grading) to make the area sound for a dwelling to be put in place.

Created wetlands have been engineered into a suitable place so humans can use natural areas to build their homes. Created wetlands are built to take the place and perform as a natural wetland would. These wetlands do not completely provide the same results as a naturally created wetland. For instance: During the raising of a natural wetland micro habitats of animal, insect and other biological populations are lost. Many times these 'micro populations' are found in small, but broken population areas throughout an ecological region. If one area is lost it puts a strain on other populations. Sometimes there may be just the single population now lost through habitat destruction. It is unknown to this writer what populations were present in that wetland before the drain and fill occurred. Our community has lost a natural system, and this is sad for all of us. Now a house is in a wetland whereas before a functioning habitat replete with plants, animals, hydrology (water movement) and other natural systems were present and functioning . We as a community have lost something unique and important. We have many houses, but so few wetlands.

Wetlands and forested areas bring diversity to an area in the form of the simple beauty of what these wild spaces afford to us as humans. These areas lower the mean air temperature by at least 10 degrees. The thrill of seeing a Pilliated woodpecker, Trillium or other nature bearing creature brings joy, lowers stress and gives us a feeling we are part of, not apart from the natural world around us. These externalities are intrinsic and valuable and cannot be replaced.

I've tried to give you a wide brush of information in a short space. I hope to have been concise and answer you question as to the importance of wetlands.

Sandra Jacobson
Illahee

Wildlife Report - 7/7/08

River Otters. On an earlier wildlife update we called the otters in the area sea otters and have been reminded that they are really river otters. There was a report that three river otters were observed the other evening playing on one of the floats at the Illahee Community Dock. They rolled around and played together on the float similar to the way they do in the water. We are waiting to see if there are any new offspring this year.

Birding in the Illahee Preserve. Here is a birding report from Vic Ulsh. "A bird survey was conducted in Illahee Forest Preserve on Sunday morning, July 6th. We set our own new record of 35 species of birds identified. Highlights included sightings of western tanager, immature pileated woodpeckers, and immature brown creepers. A total of 55 different species of birds have been identified in Illahee Preserve over these past few years during our walks. If you are interested to join a future bird walk, please contact Vic Ulsh during daytime at 479-6900 or vic@bradleyscottinc.com."

Eagles. "A bald eagle was observed in a fir tree north of the Illahee dock that flew nearly to Bainbridge Island to pick up something, probably a bird or fish, and flew directly to the area north of Illahee State Park." This report corresponds with the following report. "Jim Trainer reports that the eagle's nest adjacent to his house on Illahee Rd is occupied again with adult eagles and one eaglet. The attached photograph shows some of the remnants of prey found beneath the nest: feathers and one partial skeleton of a crow: In clockwise order: seagull, raven, seagull, red tail hawk, sea gull, crow, red tail hawk, raven, sea gull."

Coyotes. "Yesterday (7/2/08) at 0830, neighbors to the South were busy working their grounds on the East side of the house and their 3 dogs were in the yard on the West. I heard yelping and a commotion from my house -- looked out to witness a standoff and scuffle between a coyote and the two larger dogs, one that suffered a bloody foreleg wound. The coyote ran off when I stepped into its view." We've had other reports of coyotes in the area.

Deer. Many reports came in about deer that have been killed along the area roadways. At least one set of twin fawns have been reported, and possibly two, depending on how mobile they are. The most interesting report came in with two photos that were attached, and have been attached to this email. Seeing a big buck eating from a bird feeder is a first for many of us. Thank you Pat for sharing the pictures with us.

Send us your reports and pictures. Keep the reports coming. From the feedback we receive the wildlife reports are the most appreciated.

 Jim Aho

Citizens Forum Report & Wetland Responses - 6/29/08

Update Contents. This update covers the recently held Citizens Forum and also several comments that have come in regarding the questioning of why we should be concerned about wetlands.

Citizens from Around the County Met. Citizens from around the county met to get a better understanding of Federal, State, County, and city legal issues on Saturday afternoon 6/28/08 at the library on Sylvan Way. They came from Hansville to Manchester and places in between spending a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon to learn about statutes and to discuss their common problems.

The Common Thread. The common thread was a frustration citizens have when dealing with city and county officials with respect to land use practices.

Attorney Presentation. Land use attorney Ryan Vancil went through an ambitious agenda explaining legal issues and what works and what doesn't. He urged groups to understand the legal issues and to be proactive and not wait until the notice of application and 14 day comment period begins. He said among many other things that citizens groups are at a general disadvantage in the process. Representatives from Poulsbo gave an example that just the filing fee for an appeal which includes SEPA is $3000. Other representatives said just trying to get complete project files can be difficult as there are often different files associated with a project not to mention planners who often have documents that are not in the official file.

Connectivity Proposed. One of the citizen groups in attendance proposed a citizens website or something similar and has volunteered to be the connection point for the rest of the groups so they can learn from and help each other.

Wetland Responses. We shared an email we received last week that stated: "What is wrong with digging out a wetland area if it provides another building site and that great black soil is used elsewhere? Aren't people more important than a few displaced ducks? ........ Please tell us why we should be concerned." We asked that other community members respond and here are two responses.

Wetland Website. "You might send this link to the individual questioning wetlands." www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/awm/ Our comment: This is a great site and should answer the questions at the federal level. As for the state or county levels we hope there might be something available there.

Regarding the "great black soil" Statement. We received the following rather lengthy response from a resident who seems to know something about the subject, which is quoted in its entirety after our sign off.

Jim Aho


The question "What is wrong with digging out a wetland area if it provides another building site and that great black soil is used elsewhere?" intrigues me.

Lets just consider the part about the "great black soil is used elsewhere?"

OK, so these developers have a black wet soil to translocate. They dig out say, 1 cubic meter blocks with an excavator, transport them to the new site, and maybe even insert into pre dug holes. What can go wrong?

1. The soils may have not been well drained. Reinstate them in a site subject to rising groundwater and your not so well drained soils stay seasonally wet. This means that the translocated habitat will either be killed or will slowly change into something wholly different and probably with reduced biodiversity and certainly failure of the most soil sensitive plants.

2. The soils may have been poorly drained and was seasonally waterlogged. Translocate this to a well drained site and again the basic soil parameters will have changed and the habitat translocation will fail or new plants will try to adjust to the new conditions leading to habitat change and deterioration.

3. Translocate an acidic habitat to a circum-neutral or alkaline area and you will upset the chemistry of the translocated soils and again the habitat will respond by changing and invariably cause a reduction in biodiversity at the very least.

Slowly permeable receiving soils with clayey horizons will wet up at the surface with rainfall in the winter, the water in the soil being perched over the clayey layers (surface water soils). Such soils will be seasonally waterlogged or may be permanently waterlogged!

The dirt et-al, used to replace the permeable soils that were moved, may be affected by winter rising groundwater where water rises up to the surface, the soils may become so wet as to allow peat to form at the surface as plant material decays and accumulates. This would surely affect a structure built on this ground.

Wetlands come in many guises, wet woodland, alkaline fens, acidic mires, reed swamp, marshes and other. Can you excavate a certain depth of soil and lift it without draining it. Many wetland soils are fluid and simply flow as you lift them up. They are wholly dependent on water. That water may be alkaline, circum-neutral or acidic and may be rich or poor in major nutrients and rich or poor in dissolved micronutrients. The water may be sourced from vertically rising groundwater, from subsurface seepage water, or most often – a combination of these. Wetland soils may have thin acidic layers (often a few mm only) over alkaline layers and vice versa. Translocate a wetland habitat to a site with dissimilar hydrological, hydrochemical and hydrogeological conditions and you are in for trouble. Did these developers check the hydrological conditions of the soil they re-located and the soil that received the transferred soil?

Did they check to see if the soil water regimes and hydrology of the receptor site were identical to the donor site? Soils are so variable that it is virtually impossible to find a similar site. Dry heathlands are difficult enough, try it now with a combination of humid and wet heathlands, with a bit acidic mire thrown in for good measure and your problems are increased by several magnitudes. If soil analysis has shown that the upper soil layers are rich in phosphorus, and that the pH and calcium carbonate levels are excessively high (phosphorus should be minimal and pH less than 5). What will that do?

Perhaps the removal of the "black soil" would not be so beneficial to the area where it was received.

Miscelllaneous Items - 6/27/08

Wetlands Questions. We received the following questions regarding the 3rd Street wetland issue and hope someone has the time to respond to them.

"What is wrong with digging out a wetland area if it provides another building site and that great black soil is used elsewhere? Aren't people more important than a few displaced ducks? I watched wetlands being removed in Minnesota when I was a kid and it gave the farmers more crop land. I think I know the answer to my questions, but I'm not sure others do. Please tell us why we should be concerned."

This person has articulated some good questions that need to be answered. Please forward any responses to these questions and we will pass them on. And, if you have any good websites that may answer the questions, we can pass them on also.

Appeal Funding Questions. There have been a number of questions as to whether the Illahee Community Club was going to follow through with the Shorelines Hearings Board (SHB) appeal if the necessary funds do not come in. As we understand it, the Board of Directors decided to appeal the decision trusting that the money would come in and that the community is behind them on these issues. There was one abstention in the voting by one board member who wanted the money to be in place before the appeal was filed, showing that the concern of the possibility of inadequate funding. On the other hand, the community funded a $6000 hydrology study a few years ago when Illahee Creek was being threatened, which showed community financial support on that issue. We will report on the amount of donations coming in in future updates. When we asked one of the ICC board members what happens if not enough money comes in, they said the board members may need to dig deeper into their pocket books.

Deer Reports. We are getting a number of deer reports, from those getting run over to new young ones. Let us know what you are seeing, along with any photos, and we will pass them on.

Jim Aho

Third Street Wetland Issue - 6/25/08

3rd Street Wetlands. We have been asked to provide an update on the 3rd Street wetlands.

County Response? We have not received a response from the county so again all we can report is on what we have been told.

Wetland Area? We were provided with some history of the area along 3rd Street. In the 70's there was a small house on the corner lot of 3rd and Rest Place. The Thompson's later built a new house just south of the small house which was subsequently torn down because the area was so wet in the wintertime. Mr. Thompson passed away last week with his obituary in Wednesday's Kitsap Sun. Our condolences go out to his wife Claire, who along with her grieving is reported to be extremely concerned about what is happening to the wetland areas adjacent to their property.

Drainage System Installed Next to Wetland. Some are wondering what the county was thinking when they evidently approved the installation of a drainage system next to a wetland area that essentially drains the wetland, much less the Thompson's wetland. We have to agree with them having stopped to look at the area this past Wednesday evening while on a walk. It is no wonder local residents are wondering if their county officials are on the job. We took a photo of the drainage system so we could let others know what the residents of this area are concerned about.

Wetland Signs? We looked for posted wetland signs that presumably would accompany the wetland buffer signs that appear in the photo, but didn't see any. Again we are hoping someone from the county can explain to us and the residents of the area what is happening.

The Wetland Report? It was reported that someone filed a Freedom of Information request to obtain a copy of the wetland report and will report on its contents when received.

Continue to let us know what you want us to report on.

Jim Aho

Citizens Forum - 6/21/08

Excellent and Timely Opportunity. A forum to discuss legal issues such as we are dealing with in Illahee is going to be held at the Sylvan Way library next Saturday (6/28/08) from 1:30 - 4:30 pm. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the legal avenues available to communities and a chance to have related legal questions answered.

Forum. Ryan Vancil, the lawyer the Illahee Community Club has retained for the Illahee Outfall appeal, has conducted workshops before and is conducting this forum in our area, and the timing could not have been better for community residents, who have had more legal questions than we can answer. For example, we know that many in the Fir Drive area are concerned about the upcoming Timbers Edge development and would like to see community issues resolved with the county before the county approves the developers plans and another legal battle ensues. Questions like these and an understanding of the legal tools are what the forum is all about.

Description in the Notice. "In a 3-hour informational forum, matters pertaining to land use laws will be discussed to encourage an enhanced knowledge of local land use law to empower citizens."

Selected Community. Illahee and a few other communities in the county have been selected to receive this notice of the citizens forum and the law firm would like to have a count of how many people are planning on attending. You can email us and we will pass the information on or call 206.842.7811.

Thank you for providing us notice of events like these!

Jim Aho

Appeal of the Illahee Outfall Decision to the Shorelines Hearings Board (SHB) - 6/19/08

County Notice. Many in the community received the official notice a week ago that the County Commissioners denied the Illahee Community Club's appeal of the placement of a 42 inch diameter stormwater outfall at the base of the Illahee Community Dock. If you didn't receive it, we have attached it as a pdf file to this update.

The Club's Response. The Illahee Community Club responded quickly when the decision was first made with a letter to the editor (see attachment) that appeared in the CK Reporter and the Bremerton Patriot. The decision was also the covered by the Kitsap Sun, which is linked. http://kitsapsun.com/news/2008/may/19/appeal-over-illahee-pipe-denied-by-kitsap/

Community Appeal to the Shorelines Hearings Board. We have been asked by the Illahee Community Club to pass on their request to solicit donations for their appeal of the Illahee Outfall decision to the Washington State Shorelines Hearings Board (SHB).

Spreading the Appeal Costs. Following the hearing before the County Commissioners, one of the residents suggested that if they lose they need to appeal this to the next level, which was thought to be Superior Court. The person said if they could find 60 community members who would each contribute $150 they should have enough money to do so, which would be $9,000.

Why the SHB? When the results of the hearing were published in the Kitsap Sun we were advised by an interested county resident that we should be appealing the results to the SHB and that he had successfully argued before them earlier. A check of this avenue appears promising and thus the desire by the Board to move ahead with the appeal.

Legal Representation and Costs. The Community Club has retained Ryan Vancil to represent them in the SHB appeal. His estimate is that the case could cost between $7,000 and $12,000, which equates to finding 60 people who would contribute the $150.

Can the Funds be Raised? That was evidently the concern of the Board also. When the possibility of an appeal was first discussed in an Illahee Community Update there were about 20 people who indicated they felt the decision should be appealed and they were ready to contribute financially. So now the Community Club is asking for those initial 20 residents, plus 40 more to contribute to the Club's legal fund, and noted that any help is appreciated.

Where to Contribute? The Illahee Community Club, P.O. Box 2563, Bremerton, WA 98310-0332.

Other Community Projects? Let us know if you have a community project that you would like us to report on.

Jim Aho

Illahee Community Plan Update - 6/17/08

CAG Review Work Completed on 6/16/08. The Illahee Community Plan Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) completed their review of the Plan on Monday evening (6/16/08).

Next Meeting Late July? There will be not be another meeting until the Plan changes are incorporated by the county and presented to the community in about four to six weeks. At that time the community will have an opportunity to see it in its near complete state and make any last corrections before it goes to the Planning Commission for their review.

Review Opportunity Before the Meeting. The county will complete their efforts about a week before the final review meeting in order to give the community enough time for it's review.

6/16 Meeting CAG Actions Later. The CAG voted on a number of issues during the 6/16/08 meeting that will be forwarded later when the county completes the official minutes of the meeting.

Thanks to the Present and Past CAGs!! Thanks to all those who participated in this phase of the project, and a special thanks goes to all those who worked on the past draft documents that made this review much easier.

Support Needed. When the near final document is completed, please plan on looking it over carefully, and if possible, plan on attending the final review meeting. This is the subarea plan that will control and influence future land use decisions in Illahee for years when it is supported by the community and approved by the county. We have been advised that at the very end of subarea plans there are always vocal opponents who will show up at the county public meetings to voice their opposition. We hope that will not be the case in Illahee, but if so, it needs to be countered by overwhelming community support.

Watch for further updates.

Jim Aho

Meeting Reminder & Photo - 6/16/08

Next to the last Illahee Plan Meeting Monday? The Illahee Community Plan has been undergoing county review since February and only two meeting dates remain: Monday 6/16/08, and Monday 6/23/08. The meetings are from 6-8:30 pm at the Unitarian Church on Perry Ave. These last meetings are the ones where important decisions are being made and it is your opportunity to be heard. Two likely repeat agenda items will be view restriction zones and the suggested 28 foot height restrictions in the zone. We also hope to hear more about the greenbelt zone and what that means, either at this meeting or the following one. We have not seen an agenda for the meetings so we need to be tentative and our possible agenda items are based on what we anticipate will or needs to be discussed.

Sealife in the Sound. Two weeks ago we noted the abundance of pink salmon along the nearshore areas of our local waters. We showed a photo of some pink salmon fry taken from the Brownsville Marina. We have attached another photo taken during a second dip of the net that shows a small pink salmon, but also a small translucent sand lance fry. Sand lance are also known locally as "candlefish" likely due to their slender shape. Sand lance spawn similarly to surf smelt and their spawning habits were relatively unknown in the Sound until the 1989. We have several documented spawning sites nearby which is also possibly the reason for so many juvenile salmon in the area as their diets are composed heavily of sand lance, from 35% to 60% for Chinook salmon. There is much more on these interesting forage fish on the web.

Seahorses at the Illahee Dock? We had reports of small seahorse creatures at the Illahee Dock. The person reporting their sighting called over another person to make sure they weren't seeing things. We contacted a fisheries biologist who raised his eyes about the possibility. We will continue to look into this. We have had stranger things at the dock, including someone catching a pacific mackerel a number of winters ago.

Keep sending your information in, though are getting behind in our reporting and hope to catch up soon.

Jim Aho

Trail Map, Blog, 3rd Street Photo - 6/12/08

New Illahee Preserve Brochure. A new brochure has been prepared for the Illahee Preserve by the architectural firm of Rice/Fergus/Miller. Over the past several years volunteers have been establishing trails in the Preserve and this brochure provides the first map of the trails. Much of the work has also been the result of the Stewardship Committee and the East Bremerton Rotary Club, who also provided the GPS coordinates for the map. This Kitsap County Heritage Park came about through the efforts of local residents with help from the County Commissioners and state elected officials. And so it is fitting that the trail work and the brochure are also the work of local groups. The brochure is to be printed double sided and folded so it is provided as the first two attachments. Many thanks to all those who have worked so hard on the Preserve and the new brochure!


Illahee Blog Site. All of the Illahee Community Updates are printed on the illaheecommunity.com website blog site so anyone can interact or comment on the updates. Simply click on the blog line on the home page. We have had people who have commented to us on the 3rd Street Excavation and we would encourage them to comment on the blog so others can understand their concerns. The interesting thing about blogs is that most people use a handle such as a recent post by the "Illahee Observer" who often times comments on the blog site.

3rd Street Excavation. We received the attached photo of work being accomplished at the site yesterday, Wednesday, in what appears to be some type of drainage system next to the wetland. Some of the nearby residents cannot believe what happened to the wetland, much less the apparent draining of the wetland area that is still remaining. We are still trying to understand, along with the neighbors, and hope the county will soon be able to explain what is happening, like they said they would during the Gilberton Creek washout meeting.

Keep Sending Us Information. We will continue to send out information you pass on to us, though possibly with some editing.

Jim Aho

Follow-up on Gilberton Creek Wetlands - 6/9/08

3rd Street Excavation. This has been a very confusing project to report on with primarily second hand information coming in.


View Larger Map

The Meeting Report. The following statement was made in our Gilberton Creek Washout Meeting Report: "It was interesting to note that several people asked the county about the excavation work along 3rd Street at the headwaters of Gilberton Creek. The county reps said they would look into the project."

A Brief County Response. One of the persons questioning the county about the project got the following response: "I also received a call from Kim at DCD, after Larry Keaton passed along my inquiry to her. She said that the permit has been issued and the project is being monitored."

Neighbor Calls. Since we have not heard anything more from DCD, we are going to try and report on this based on calls received and a brief look at the wetland report in the file, so be aware that we may not have the complete story.

Extreme Concern. First of all it appears that many of the neighbors are extremely concerned with what is happening in their neighborhood with the excavation of the wetland areas. Evidently they have contacted the county and not gotten much information except that the project has been approved.

The Right Wetland Report? The wetland report in the file was for a small isolated wetland and doesn't resemble the wetland flagging next to the trees in the area, which is very confusing. There seemed to be no mention that the area is the headwaters of Gilberton Creek, which is also confusing. There did not appear to be a wetland report for the area being worked, which again is very confusing.

Property Owner Approval? There are allegations that the buffer averaging approval was not understood by the property owners for the work that was accomplished. Additionally, they are saying that the neighbors were not given any notice of the extent of the "grading" project which to them was much more than just grading. Again, the more information that comes in on the project the more confusing it becomes. Neighbors are hoping the county will soon provide some explanations of what is taking place and clear up the confusion in this neighborhood in Illahee.

A Follow-on Wetland Project? A resident dropped off a legal notice from Saturdays CK Reporter regarding a "Reasonable Use Exception" application to approve a residence within 5 feet of a Category 3 wetland that usually has a 60 foot buffer. The address is 6501 Rest Place which would put it in the wetland at the headwaters of Illahee Creek and adjacent to the wetlands of the headwaters of Gilberton Creek, which were just discussed. The person asked if wetlands were no longer considered important in Kitsap County and wondered if the state felt similarly. Based on what just happened with the Gilberton Creek wetlands, we couldn't answer the question. The contact person listed in the paper for the project is David Greethan 337-7181.

Why So Many Controversial Issues? We were hoping to use these community updates for less controversial issues such as wildlife reports, as there enough problems already in Illahee. However, this is the information that we are receiving and so we are passing it on.

Jim Aho

Wildlife Update & Photos - 6/6/08

Sea Otters. Three were observed on Friday. We are waiting to see if there will be some young ones soon.

Deer on the Beach. Deer sometimes travel along the beach but we don't usually see them by the water at low tide. See the attached photo.

Gosling Report. This report was received on Thursday (6/5/08). We had reported in an earlier update that we thought the pair of Canada Geese with 6 small goslings had lost them, but evidently they didn't. "The original pair of geese with the 8 goslings are still here and also the pair with the 6 babies after all. At least, I believe they are the original group of 6 goslings. They are the appropriate size and feathering is proceeding at the right rate in comparison to the older goslings who have their tail feathers in."

Jackknife Clams. These clams are small and fast and can be found on our sandy and silty beaches. They resemble small razor clams but are not as broad. This one shown in the attached photo was found on Schutt's point at low tide on Wednesday. They can also found on the beaches at Illahee State Park.

Sea Anenome Eating a Crab. This is a Painted Anenome (Urticina crassicornis) eating a crab that was observed at Foulweather Bluff on Thursday. Sea anemones have nematocystes or stinging cells on their tentacles and use them to sting their prey when contacted. As you can see they eat crabs, along with fish and whatever else comes close.

Keep sending us your wildlife information.

Jim Aho

Miscellaneous Items - 6/2/08

Important Illahee Community Plan Meeting 6/2/08. The Illahee Community Plan is in its final stages with just two or three meetings left and a number of important decisions will be finalized. On 6/2/08 the agenda will likely include finalizing view protection overlays, zoning, and discussing what to do with tax-title strips and unused right-of-ways. The community is also hoping to get more information on greenbelts. See this linked story. The meeting is at the Unitarian Church and goes from 6-8:30 pm.

Illahee Outfall Appeal. The community has been very vocal about the locating of the 42in diameter outfall at the base of the community dock, with many wanting to appeal the decision to the next level. The Illahee Community Club is reportedly considering an appeal to the Shorelines Hearings Board (SHB) and that is about all we know at this point. We will pass on more information as it becomes available. Kitsap Sun story on appeal denial.

Gilberton Creek Washout Meeting Report. There were several reporters at the meeting last Thursday and we have attached the links to their reports. It was interesting to note that several people asked the county about the excavation work along 3rd Street at the headwaters of Gilberton Creek. The county reps said they would look into the project.
CK Reporter article
Kitsap Sun article

Illahee Birding. "We conducted a bird survey of the upland forested area of Illahee Preserve on Saturday morning, May 31st. A total of 30 different bird species were identified. Highlights included sightings of Wilson's Warblers, Townsend's Warblers, and baby red-breasted nuthatches. Periodic bird surveys are conducted within Illahee Preserve. These tours are quite informative and geared for people with all levels of birding experience including those new to birding. If anyone has an interest to join such a tour and learn more about our local birds, then feel free to contact Vic Ulsh at vic@bradleyscottinc.com or 479-6900."

Lowest Tides of the Season. Wednesday is the lowest tide of the season and an opportunity to see what is normally under water.

Salmon along the Nearshore. One way that biologists determine what is happening along the nearshore areas is to conduct regular beach seinings. It was reported that during beach seines at 5 stations in Kitsap County on Friday that there are enormous numbers of small pink salmon fry migrating through the area, Attached is a photo of the results of a dip net at the Brownsville Marina showing some pink salmon feeding along the breakwater. Other small salmon fry observed during the seining were chum salmon. A few coho and chinook along with one cutthrout trout were also observed during the seines. More on the results of other fish and marine life caught in the seinings later.

Jim Aho