Enforce enforcement

To The Eagle,

My husband and I moved to Puget Island around six years ago and built a home here. We chose this area to retire for its beauty, peaceful atmosphere and slower lifestyle (plus we both enjoy fishing). We have a nerighbor who has allowed, over these last 5-6 years, numerous individuals to live in a dilapidated motorhome in the rear of their property. Not a good thing, as there is no sewer or septic back there. We try to live by the motto ‘live and let live,’ so we did not say anything. I didn’t know we would soon be living next to what looks like a homeless encampment. We have watched, over the last few months, several broken down motorhomes and RV’s arriving and staying at the property with people obviously living out of them. We have also witnessed many law enforcement visits (thanks to the Sheriff’s Department for keeping an eye on this situation). Per the County code, recreational vehicles used as a permanent residence are required to have their own potable water or sewer/septic. We filed a solid waste ordinance complaint with Wahkiakum County about six weeks ago requesting an investigation due to the environmental hazard. There is a ditch that runs behind several neighbors’ properties in the back of these motorhomes. I checked with the Health Department last week and was told two certified letters were sent out to the property owner and it would probably stop there as the codes are not enforced. What good are these codes, if not enforced? I guess we are to turn a blind eye to the conditions and just live with it. I have had conversations with other islanders who wish things could be cleaned up around here, and I realize that is a big project. We need to protect the natural beauty of Puget Island and do what we can to keep us all healthy and safe.

Nancy Bauer,

Puget Island