By Craig Murphy Vidette Reporter, The Montesano Vidette , 7/13/2000
LACEY - Even among the differences, one can see the similarities with new proposed shoreline rules.
Last July, some 1,200 people - many of whom were Harborites - staged a rally in Montesano to protest the Department of Ecology's proposed shorelines rules. Farm Bureau manager Dan Wood led the protest, which came before a DOE public hearing on the rules.
Last week, some 200 people - many of whom were Harborites - staged a rally in Lacey on July 5 to protest the DOE's proposed shoreline rules. Grays Harbor County Commissioner Dan Wood led the protest, which came before a DOE public hearing on the rules.
Protesters such as Wood, Pacific County Commissioner Pat Hamilton and gubernatorial candidate Harold Hochstatter were among those speaking out against the DOE. Wood thanked attendees for showing up, especially since it was July 5, a "hard time for people to show up. And the DOE knows it - that's why they did it."
Hamilton said the proposed regulations wouldn't protect fish as planned. "They tell people it's a good thing," she said of the DOE. "It's balderdash, that's what it is. The governor says it is a good thing. He has gotten some bad advice."
Hochstatter said the DOE is trying to "blindside" people. "I don't encourage shooting unless it's absolutely necessary," he said. "And it's getting awfully close to that time. If this (proposal) was good sense, let the Legislature debate this. This process is not the American way.
The concern of non-elected people such as DOE officials passing laws was a common concern, as was paying for such a law. "These unfunded mandates are going to bankrupt your area, Wood told the crowd. "Even if they gave us a dozen more planners to implement this, we don't want it."
Following the rally, people grabbed protest signs and walked across Martin Way to the DOE headquarters, where the public hearing was being held.
Among the Harborites attending the rally and public hearing in Lacey were Arlene and Roger Hoiland from Central Park. The couple owns property at Bailey Dip, and Roger said they have been in contact with the DOE many times concerning regulations on their land.
"We have been fighting these guys for 20 years. We would have better luck talking to this post," he said outside the DOE headquarters. Hoiland said he had an appointment to talk with a DOE official once a few years ago, but the official didn't show up.
"That just kind of reflects the whole agency," he said. "'They don't have to account to anybody, so they do whatever they want." The Hoilands attended last year's rally, and were not surprised when this year's local meetings weren't held in Montesano, and were held during 4th of July week. "I was kind of expecting something like that," Roger said.
Elma's Rex Valentine was among those who spoke during the evening against the proposed rules. Valentine said streams around where he lives used to be full of salmon, but efforts to save them have backfired. "When you told us we couldn't take care of our streams anymore, that's when the trouble began," he told DOE officials.
Throughout the evening, those in favor of increased shoreline rules were loudly heckled by protesters in the back of the room. Even after being told to stop it including warnings from some fellow protesters - the heckling continued throughout the evening.
While protesters said the pro posed regulations were too strict, some supporters said the regulations didn't go far enough. This was especially true of the "Path A," the less stringent standards. The "Path B" was more widely approved, though a few supporters noted Path B could also use some improvements.
McCleary's Janet Strong was among those supporting the Path B. "I support protecting shorelines in our state," Strong said. "'They have been underprotected. The predictions are we'll have more people living here in the future. We need to protect our shorelines, and our quality of life. We can move back, develop, and still protect our shorelines."
Tom Bjorgen from the Washington Environmental Council also supported Path B over Path A. "I commend the DOE for the rules, especially Path B," he said. "It needs some improvements, but it is an example of government doing something right."
Chris Brown from Matlock lives along the Satsop River, and said his property has been damaged by debris from his neighbors, regardless of any regulations. "I say the fairest way is to let the river take its course," he said.
Many of the protesters who spoke voiced concern over local government and landowners losing control, and questioned where funding would come from.
Ron Lofgren of Montesano questioned why rules made by people in the Puget Sound area are being made for people in other areas. "We have different problems than you do," he said. "Don't you understand that? You're coming up with rules and regulations that don't apply to us. Any part of Grays Harbor can be floodplains six months of the year." John Erak of Aberdeen expressed concern over more state control of land.
"Local control and private property go hand in hand," he said. "I think Edgar Allen Poe drafted this proposal, because it sure scared me. It seems to be a push towards new ownership by the state. 'Mat's pure socialism, folks."
U.S. Representative Brian Hatfield from Raymond stressed one word: wait. "Wait until the Legislature can review this, and find the money to fund this," he said. "Without that, it would be an illegal, unfunded mandate. Wait until the citizens can help you improve it. If you've already waited 28 years, it won't hurt to wait six to eight more months."
On Tuesday, July 11, a group of 19 Harborites attended the DOE hearing in Seattle. Michael Tracy, executive director for the Grays Harbor Economic Development Council, said the goal this year was to replicate last year, when the guidelines were not implemented.
"We want it tabled," Tracy said. "We want the Legislature not only to look at the plan, but to look at what they want the DOE to do. I have spoken to many elected officials, and they said this is not what they intended when they asked the DOE to look at shoreline rules in 1995.
Tracy said this year's proposal goes further than last year's, especially in terms of shoreline setback. "This year's document is more strict and is written for urban areas, not rural areas," he said. "It would be devastating to a rural county or city. I spoke on what the impact is on growth if these laws are passed. Some designations would make it impossible in Grays Harbor to do any building. From an economic development standpoint, that makes it real hard to create jobs."
The deadline for public comments on the proposed rules is August 7. Comments should be sent to: Shoreline Rule, Washington Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. It is expected the DOE will adopt new rules this fall.
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