Farmers and gardeners are presently paying the price for protecting critical areas in Island County, but eventually we must all do our part.
As explained at a meeting in Oak Harbor last night, small landowners raising a cow or two or gardening or haying near a wetland or stream will face some restrictions in the future.
This could be as simple as signing off on a plan that includes an environmental checklist, or as complex as fencing off an area from animals. County officials made a good-faith effort to keep requirements as simple and inexpensive as possible while complying with the state law to protect critical areas and protecting itself from lawsuits. Nobody wants to stop gardeners from gardening or 4-H Club members from raising livestock. Hopefully landowners will be satisfied that they can continue their rural activities under the new regulations. If people have to give up their rural lifestyles to protect critical areas, then the planning effort will have failed.
The good intention behind the regulations is to protect Puget Sound which is degrading slowly, year after year. Everyone agrees that this national treasure needs to be protected during a time of regional growth that is seemingly out of control. Farmers, however, are feeling a little picked on that the state is cracking down on a few cows or hayfields that are surrounded by thousands of people who themselves are polluting the environment.
It’s only a matter of time before we all start paying our fair share. Septic tank regulations are tightening and it probably won’t be long before all county residents have to pump their tanks on a regular basis. Drainage is another huge problem, as oil products, pesticides and fertilizers wash off roadways and lawns and make their way directly into Puget Sound. There are ways to separate the oil from the water, but this costs money. Someone will have to pay and it’s not hard to guess who.
Farmers are the first ones to pay the price of growth but the rest of us won’t be far behind. Puget Sound must be protected and it’s only fair that we all do our part, reluctant as we may be.
