County makes mark in dispute

On the morning of Dec. 1 a large county crew brushed the Greenbank/Wonn Road right-of-way out to its full 40-foot width. In less than two hours, neighbors estimate, county employees with trucks, a tractor, a chipper and a supervisory van visually re-established the county right-of-way to the beach.

Work on this important community public access has been stalled since last summer because the area has been deemed a “confidential archeological site.”

Work was limited to brush cutting. Promised widening of the 13-foot wide road to 20-foot and resurfacing has not yet started.

Current encroachments on Old Greenbank Road by adjacent property owners include 27 by 413 feet along the 40-foot wide right-of-way for lawns and flower beds, a stone wall blocking public access to approximately 40 by 170 feet of public road out to ordinary high water, a private water supply line down the middle of the right-of-way and a misplaced driveway access. There is also a miraculous, traffic impeding boulder that somehow wanders around at its own whim.

This landmark maintenance action by the Department of Public Works confirms Island County’s commitment to the public’s Greenbank/Wonn Road access. Thank you Island County commissioners and Island County Department of Public Works.

Phil and Deb Anderson

Save Our Beaches

(Editor’s note: Commissioner Angie Homola, who received a copy of this letter, reminds residents that the access in question remains in litigation).

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