Letter to the Editor: Comments on Resource Management for Patos Island

— Edrie Vinson, President, Keepers of the Patos Light —

TO: Marcia deChadenedes, Manager, San Juan Island Land Magament

Comments: San Juan Islands National Monument, Draft Resource Management Plan: Patos Island

Dear Marcia:

This comment on the draft RMP is on behalf of the Keepers of the Patos Light (KOPL), a “Friend” of BLM in the truest sense of the word. Under your leadership we have brought docents to attend the lighthouse and open it to visitors, groom the camping spaces, trails and beaches, and develop the history in exhibits to educate and enhance appreciation of our visitors to love and care for this very special place in the northernmost part on the San Juan Islands National Monument. We are submitting this comment with the request that you give it serious consideration. In making these statements we want to clarify that it is our goal to increase visitation to Patos Island, and to accommodate and enhance the visitor experience, while at the same time protecting the cultural and natural heritage that this site is blessed to hold.

We are concerned that the preferred alternative B may limit our goals for developing this site, and we respectfully request that you amend it to allow for our concerns expressed below.

The lighthouse is our primary interest, and we hope BLM will do all in its power to preserve it, and make it a safe and attractive destination for boaters in the San Juan Islands. Our additional interest is the recreational qualities that the island has, including its trails, campsites and composting toilets. We support any effort to enhance, improve and expand these recreational resources, while at the same time protecting sensitive resources, and pledge to assist BLM and State Parks in making that happen. We specifically support:

Erecting a flag pole. Since 2013 KOPL has solicited and saved money to erect a flag pole on Patos in the original position where a flag has flown since the 4th day of its operation in 1893. As restoration of an historic element, the lighthouse will be more in keeping with its traditional purpose of enhancing marine transportation which this nation has supported all along its coasts and inland waterways. We want marine travelers to know that the American flag still flies over Patos, whether they approach from the north or west (Canada), the south (San Juan County), or the east (Whatcom County). The American flag flying over the island will signal recreation travelers that KOPL has docents on the island, and they can get into the lighthouse and enjoy its exhibits.

Amateur Radio Facilities. Originally a fog signal was used at Patos to alert mariners of approaching shallow waters and rocky outcrops. During the 1920s or 1930s radio was added to the lighthouses, and proved to be more effective in guiding ships through inclement weather. We, and BLM, have supported amateur radio at Patos as an important part of its history, and we encourage BLM to continue support of it under the Resource Management Plan. This means that we need to erect towers to allow the signals to be heard, and we support that in a manner that considers the safety of the public. Until recently we have had an oil spill response team within the San Juan Islands. They responded to over 500 distress calls, including one at Patos. Thankfully, our beaches have been free of oil spills, but with the drastic increase of marine shipping and recreational boating, it is not appropriate for us to dismiss this as inconceivable. Since marine shipping uses radio, our radios could well be on the forefront of announcing a spill and getting a rapid response to contain it.

The Road to the lighthouse. We are concerned that the road to the lighthouse from the landing and campsites at the eastern end of Active Cove be maintained in at least its present condition, and not narrowed into a trail. We also strongly support the use of motorized equipment by mobility impaired persons to enable them to get to the lighthouse. We support the addition of benches to permit those challenged by the steep approach to stop and rest during their trek. Benches near the composting toilets will also accommodate those waiting for the services. While the trail and/or expanded trail will likely be used by those more athletic, there may be viewpoints that would be enhanced by benches for a longer stay.

Patos wharf. We support the rebuilding of the wharf, or if more appropriate, the construction of a new dock in Active Cove. At present there are only 2 buoys that boats may tie up to, and only 6 campsites. These facilities limit the number of visitors that Patos can serve at any one time. Historically, the wharf was installed as a part of the original construction, and it continued to serve an important role during the entire life of the Lighthouse Service and the Coast Guard operations. Having another wharf or dock would greatly enhance the ability of boaters to stop and visit the lighthouse, and take advantage of the world class view while camping or hiking the trails. A wharf or dock is critical to expanding and enhancing the use of Patos Island.

Citizen Science and Youth Programs. We support citizen and professional science projects that increase our knowledge of the resources Patos has to offer. Especially we support the increase of youth programs on the island. In addition to enhancing the understanding of this historic property, and providing information for future educational opportunities, we believe that it will endear new generations of citizens to the desire to care for this place. Those are the persons we hope will fill our shoes and remain as a service to BLM and to Patos Island for years to come.

We encourage BLM to develop and implement plans for fire suppression and other emergencies that could harm this island and its visitors, and especially its lighthouse. We also offer our services to help implement such plans.

Little Patos Island. We request that BLM not grant any permit to use this little island for anything but the isolated outpost favored by eagles and seals as a respite that has no interference.

Thank you for your consideration.

(Those who’d liked to comment on the plan, can address comments to

Marcia deChadenedes, Manager, SJINM
Bureau of Land Management
P.O. Box 3, 37 Washburn Place
Lopez Island, WA 98261)