Ebey Island in play

Published 12:04 pm Friday, March 11, 2011

Waterfowlers who have ever hunted ducks on or around Ebey Island should probably feel the stirrings of suspicion at the announcement that Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has finished a draft study evaluating the feasibility of restoring salmon habitat on a portion of the island. Similar projects elsewhere — the Skagit delta is a prime example — have tended to show that if hunters can be given the short end of the stick, they will be. That if hunting must go in return for a questionable benefit to salmon, shotguns will be ushered out the door.

WDFW has scheduled a public meeting on the issue March 15 at its Mill Creek office, 16018 Mill Creek Boulevard, phone 425-775-1311, 6 to 8:30 p.m. View the draft study here.

The agency will also accept written public comment on the study, titled Ebey Island habitat Restoration Feasibility Study, through March 31. E-mail comments to Richard Tveten (Richard Tveten is the WDFW’s restoration ecologist; phone number in Olympia, 360-902-2367), or mail to 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia 98501.