An important issue is being discussed by the Island County Commissioners that affects public beach access statewide. I speak about a potential move to voluntarily drop Island County’s court case against a property owner who, in the eyes of many, has taken control over what is clearly a road end/public beach access point. (The case being discussed is Wonn Road near Greenbank, just south of midpoint Whidbey Island.)
State law asserts road ends that abut water are public spaces. Dropping its court case against the property owner de facto means the commissioners are ignoring state law, and voluntarily foregoing the outcome of a court decision which could once again affirm Washington state law.
The commissioners are considering a settlement offer from the property owner involving an exchange for other stretches of beach property, cash, etc. This is unacceptable. A road end at the water’s edge is a different kind of public space than a stretch of beach. These road end/beach access points provide a safety valve for water-bound citizens in need of help. Beaching without a road for emergency transport is like finding a telephone booth with no working line.
There is another issue here. Standing at an easily identifiable road end with my toes at the water’s edge, at a spot where I know I have the right to stand, feeling the seascape and its moods in front of me is a right I take for granted, need, and enjoy. So I speak not just for myself but for all who will come after me. Our islands have far too few of these spots to give up even one.
If Island County drops the court case, a precedent is set for other beach owners to try for similar outcomes. We must let the courts decide. We must not let one property owner weaken the county’s muscle to do what’s right. Do not drop the court case. See www.islandbeachaccess.org for more information.
Elisa Miller
Clinton
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