It is a given, by nearly all estimates, that our
region and island will face added pressures of continuing population growth. Attendant
to that growth are potential conflicts of development and protection of natural
resources.
Our community now has the opportunity to showcase
how those two issues can be reconciled through cooperation, top-notch planning
and vision.
T Bailey wants to construct a building to house
its expanding operations at the Port of Anacortes' March Point property. The
Port commission last week unanimously approved leasing the 22-acre property to
the manufacturer of wind towers and other steel fabrication and heavy
construction work.
The rub is that there is a large great blue heron
colony, plus an eagle's nest, near that land.
But we were encouraged by the spirit of
cooperation shown by many at last Thursday's Port commission meeting. The
Skagit Land Trust, which owns 3.5 acres near the Port land as a sanctuary for
the herons, expressed a desire and willingness to work with T Bailey, the Port
and the city on the project.
And T Bailey partners Gene Tanaka and Darrell
Lehmann demonstrated a refreshing forthrightness in addressing the issue before
the commission and public.
Lehmann's remarks that their company chose to
locate to Anacortes because of the quality of life here spoke volumes. Their
company could have gone elsewhere but the partners decided to put down roots
here. Our impression is that this is a company with integrity, willing to
listen.
Their expansion, with 100 new jobs forecast, will
be a huge shot in the arm for the local economy. It's hard to maintain a high
quality of life without enough jobs.
And it was not lost on some at last week's meeting
that T Bailey builds wind towers that create an alternative source of energy,
which helps the environment.
But quality of life also encompasses the beauty
and natural glory of Fidalgo Island, including great blue herons and eagles.
They live here too. This island's beauty and natural resources beckon, not only
to its inhabitants but to visitors and tourists as well.
The key issue here of course is noise -- will the
T Bailey work at the March Point site drive away or somehow disturb the herons?
As Ian Munce, city planning director, succinctly
noted, it's now time to "take a deep breath and see if we can design a
site that works for both the rookery and our local economic development
objectives. I don't think they're incompatible."
Exactly. And therein lies the challenge and the
great opportunity. With the city, Port, T Bailey and environmental groups all
cooperating in concert, this project can be a shining example of working
together, rather than apart, to both create new jobs and preserve natural
resources. It can be done.