Buoy plan is commendable, but complying could be spendy
Published 6:52 pm Tuesday, March 10, 2015
The state is right to address the moorage situation in Quartermaster Harbor, where unregulated moorage has led to congested coves, navigational hazards and potential environmental harm. But as the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) begins implementing its plan to bring order to the bay, hopefully its new enforcement won’t price boaters out of keeping their vessels in the harbor.
Keeping a boat on a buoy in Quartermaster has typically been the cheaper option on Vashon, costing much less than leasing a slip at the marina or yacht club. However, DNR is now requiring those who want to keep buoys to install new, more environmentally friendly anchor systems. The screw-type anchors are a statewide requirement, and they make sense — they won’t drag around the bottom of the harbor, possibly harming sea life, and they are more secure. However, they also cost thousands of dollars to install. The licenses all buoy owners will be required to purchase could also cost several hundred dollars a year, depending on the size of the boat.
Boating itself is not an inexpensive activity — buying a boat, fueling it and maintaining it all cost money — but the state’s demands will add significant costs. It would be unfortunate for boating to become an activity that only well-to-do islanders can afford, for the makeup of our harbor to not reflect the diversity of the island. At the same time, DNR has greater obligations to uphold state law and to protect the harbor — a nursery for herring and other forage fish, which in turn support dolphins, whales and more.
When King County began asking several years ago that Vashon homeowners near the shore repair or replace their failing septic systems to improve the health of the harbor and of Puget Sound, some said they simply couldn’t afford to have the work done. The county, at the urging of Vashon’s community council, eventually made a low-income septic loan program available. A loan program for anchors seems far fetched, but perhaps now that the state is ready to start pulling buoys, it could give boaters who need it a hand with their next steps. It should make information on companies that install buoys readily available, making it easier to shop around for quotes. Many boaters have expressed interest in seeking group discounts for multiple systems installed at once, but have been apparently unable to organize, something the state could aid in. Or perhaps boaters who take the plunge and install expensive systems could have the first year of fees waived.
The state has a plan for some positive changes in the harbor, and officials have so far communicated well with boaters. Now’s the time to listen for boater concerns and try to lend a hand to those who need help staying in the harbor.
