Comment By July 15 On The Wildes Road Logging Application

Why This Matters

This is steep, wet, ecologically sensitive ground, and logging here could threaten fish-bearing waterways. Based on WEAN's review of the application and reports from neighboring landowners, the application appears to significantly understate the wetlands, streams, and steep slopes on the site:

WEAN is asking DNR to return or deny the application as incomplete, convene an interdisciplinary (ID) team site review with a hydrogeologist, and reclassify the application as Class IV-Special, which would require full environmental (SEPA) review. Read WEAN’s comment letter to DNR here.

Take Action

Remember: Keep it constructive. The goal is a lawful (do not enter the property), well-reviewed process and, ideally, a conservation solution that works for the owner, too. Every letter should be something you'd be comfortable reading aloud at a public meeting. Comments are most effective when they are brief, factual, and courteous. In your own words, you can:

1. Email a comment to DNR by July 15. Send to Forest Practices Forester Grant Becker at grant.becker@dnr.wa.gov, and reference FPA No. NW-FPA-26-8637 in the subject line.

• Ask DNR to convene an ID team site review, including a hydrogeologist, before making any decision;
• Ask DNR to reclassify the application as Class IV-Special because of the steep, unstable, wet slopes and the risk to French Road, a public resource, as well as downstream fish habitat;
• Ask DNR to require field verification of the streams and a full wetland delineation, since the application appears to understate both;
• Describe anything you have personally observed—wetlands, streams, flooding, drainage problems at French Road, wildlife such as Pileated woodpeckers—with dates and locations. First-hand observations from nearby residents carry real weight. 

2. Write to the Island County Commissioners. Send to Commissioners Bacon, Johnson, and St. Clair at CommentBOCC@islandcountywa.gov. Parts of this proposal fall under County jurisdiction, not DNR's. Ask the Board to assert the County's authority over clearing in wetlands, stream buffers, and steep slopes (Island County Code 11.02 and 17.02B), and to have Public Works evaluate the French Road culverts.

3. Support a conservation outcome. There are pathways forward other than clearcutting if the owners of this parcel are in financial need. A conservation sale would let the landowner realize value from the land while protecting it permanently. If you'd like to join a conversation about helping make that possible, please let us know: ed@whidbeyenvironment.org.

Thank you for standing up for the Quade Creek watershed off of Wildes Road!