By Marian Berejikian The recent activity by Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to protect Lake Kapowsin in its current state is the best solution for this fragile and environmentally important lake, which draws fishermen as well as canoe and kayak users.-á What threatens the lake most is a urban-sized idea being lobbed around by mostly one vocal advocate to make an international rowing resort in this remote and rural part of Pierce County. This action could virtually exclude the lake's current users from fishing in this quiet, undeveloped environment and negatively impact the fish and wildlife in the area. Approximately 20 percent of the lake's shoreline is a mapped wetland. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, there are several priority habitats associated with Lake Kapowsin: " Wetlands. " Large waterfowl areas. " Open spaces. " Kapowsin Creek riparian corridor habitat. " White River elk range habitat. " And bald eagle nesting areas. Lake Kapowsin is identified in the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA) as a Shoreline of the State-á (WAC 173.20.560). The SMA is intended to protect shoreline natural resources, including "... the land and its vegetation and wildlife, and the water of the state and their aquatic life ... " against adverse effects. Chinook salmon are present in Kapowsin Creek, which means that Kapowsin Creek is considered critical habitat for Puget Sound chinook salmon by NOAA, and requires more stringent protection. The Department of Fish and Wildlife's Salmonscape, an interactive computer mapping system, reveals that both steelhead and chinook salmon are documented in Lake Kapowsin, and their distribution upstream of the lake is modeled for habitat. Steelhead, a federally listed threatened species, are also present in Lake Kapowsin (Graham Community Plan). Under the resort proposal, it is estimated that 1.4 million cubic meters of submerged stumps and wood would be removed to clear the way for rowing. That runs counter to preserving fish habitat. The placement of stumps in streams and lakes are widely used as habitat enhancement features for restoration projects. To remove stumps would also remove the benefit they are now providing to fish. Unlike most lakes in Pierce County, Lake Kapowsin is virtually free of shoreline development. Lake Kapowsin is outside of the county's Urban Growth Area and lies in an area identified as having flood, erosion, seismic and volcanic hazards. To draw a large number of people into a condensed area by locating a resort in a hazard area is contrary to the Growth Management Act and unsafe for the users in the event of a natural disaster. The Pierce County Comprehensive Plan 19A.30.180 (Public and Community Facilities Location Criteria) states public community facilities should be located in centers or in areas with direct access to major thoroughfares. The two-lane road GÇô Orville Road East GÇô near the lake does not qualify as a main thoroughfare. There are other lakes that would not be as impacted by a resort as Lake Kapowsin. Please keep this area natural for the limited number of current users and the fish and wildlife. We support DNR's aquatic reserve.
Marian Berejikian is the executive director of Friends of Pierce County, a non-profit environmental group.
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