The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

To The Eagle:

Mr. Carlsen’s letter to the editor from Nov. 13th is inaccurate. The erosion on Pancake Point and East Sunny Sands has been an issue for decades.

Dredge spoils have been placed on Pancake Point on down several times within the past 40 years. The beach erosion is not just about the Watson house. The erosion affects all properties along East Sunny Sands Rd. Reference the Notice of Application for Shoreline Management Substantial Development, Conditional Use permit for Variance Permit May 2007. This permit was for “ Propose placing dredging material along the shoreline of East Sunny Sands and Pancake Point. The beneficial use of the dredge material will be used as beach nourishment to alleviate on going erosion in the area.” The applicant was Wahkiakum County Public Works. Also, please reference the October 30, 2008 Wahkiakum Eagle article “Sand comes to eroding shoreline”.

We have lost a tree and at least 20 feet in depth of shoreline property within the last three years. Homeowners on Puget Island need to recognize the importance of shoreline replenishment for property values; livability and safety. With hopes, the county commissioners and the Corp of Engineers will expedite the depositing of dredge spoils on East Sunny Sands. Additional future solutions could be to place a speed limit of ships/tugs as they pass the entire length of Puget Island. Wauna in Oregon was successful in this restriction. The deepening of the ship channel to 43 feet has accelerated the erosion due to larger ships and larger wakes. The ports of Kalama, Woodland, Portland should all share in the cost for beach replenishment due to their commerce river transportation. For now though, sand replenishment from pipe dredging is of urgent concern for East Sunny Sands.

Lynn Volz, Puget Island