Ready for Eastsound Wetlands Transformation?

Vegetation behind the Village Green Stage will be removed for construction of stormwater treatment.

By Mindy Kayl

This fall the parcel west of the Village Green and Band Shell will be transformed.  Thursday, May 19, Ed Hale of San Juan County Public Works shared drawings with Orcas Islanders at the Senior Center and listened to feedback from local citizens about the planned storm water treatment/constructed wetland, slated for construction this fall.

The constructed wetland is designed to slow the flow of storm water from the village of Eastsound, and allow pollutants and particles to settle in one pond. Then a rock and earth dam will allow water to slowly flow into a second pond area. When the water level in the second pond is high enough, the water will flow into the existing 18” pipe and ultimately into Fishing Bay in Eastsound.

The County Department of Public Works will hold an open house on the project as soon as plans are finalized. The construction will go out for bid in two weeks , on May 31, and is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2011.

Some in attendance at Thursday’s meting criticized the final plan, even though the county did incorporate some suggested changes. One criticism is that habitat will be disturbed, trees and shrubs will be removed and the soils will be compacted by the excavating equipment.  Hale explained to the group, that “the county is converting the 0.9 acres of marginalized young vegetation to put more clear water in to Eastsound.”

One of the incorporated suggestions is to keep a group of established trees in the center of the parcel.  Also, there will be a walking path around the constructed wetland to allow people to enjoy the native plantings and safely walk through the center of town.  The plan will accomplish three things:

1. provide storm water treatment for a large part of Eastsound;
2. provide a walking path for safety and enjoyment;
3. create potential habitat by adding native trees that fruit and flower, and areas that are seasonally ponded.

Public Works sought input from the community, and formed a design committee about three months ago. Members of this committee were, Chuck Greening, Martha Farish, Kathy Faulkner, Gulliver Rankin, Michael Budnik, and Laura Tidwell, all local citizens with diverse backgrounds. Rankin said, “The County did respond to some of the recommended changes.

Mindy Kayl, the reporter for this story, is also a professional wetlands consultant www.mindykayl.com