Welcome to the Deer Lagoon Preserve advocacy page and thank you for wanting to help protect, preserve and restore this Whidbey Island gem.

Since the 2004 purchase of the 379-acre Deer Lagoon Preserve, increased pressure on sensitive habitat from public use, misuse and outright destruction has resulted in critical habitat degradation. The existing passive management plan no longer protects the lagoon.

Deer Lagoon Preserve is in dire need of an upgraded, site-specific, county- coordinated management plan to protect it as critical fish and wildlife habitat and a place of natural beauty for people to enjoy.

A few examples of noted impacts to the sensitive habitat and environment at Deer Lagoon are:

• Illegal cutting of trees on county property in wetlands and sensitive areas

• Watercraft approaching and harassing waterfowl, including the rare and recently arrived (2016) American White Pelicans, causing them to flee

• Mowing critical bird habitat at the height of breeding season

• Kitesurfing within the lagoon

• Drone use at the lagoon

• Motorized and non-motorized watercraft inside on the lagoon

• Chemically polluted surface water runoff from the nearby golf course and surrounding areas

• Off-leash dogs harassing birds, destroying off-trail plant habitat, and depositing waste

• Large numbers of golf balls being hit into the lagoon and left

• Illegal fireworks in the surrounding areas

  
  

To learn more about Deer Lagoon Preserve and the issues we are confronting please see:

Carlos Andersen’s presentation “Between the Tides - Whidbey’s Birding Gem: Deer Lagoon Preserve”.

The recent Whidbey News-Times newspaper article here.

Our Deer Lagoon birding page here.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?

Submitting our comments, recommendations and concerns to Island County is our best opportunity to help protect, preserve and restore the lagoon.

In particular, commenting on the Island County Comprehensive Plan is the best avenue to have our voices heard. County review of the existing Comprehensive Plan, which was last updated in 2016, is taking place right now. That means that now is the most crucial time for us to communicate our views on the importance we Island County constituents place on protecting, preserving and restoring the Deer Lagoon Preserve in perpetuity. Post your comment on the County’s new comment page on its website.

EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU COULD SHARE WHEN YOU WRITE COMMENTS AND LETTERS TO THE COUNTY

Why Deer Lagoon Preserve is important to you?

Why do you spend time or want to spend time at the lagoon?

Why is it important to you that the lagoon is protected and preserved?

Deer Lagoon is not a city park meant for recreation. It is a sensitive wildlife nature preserve meant for peace and quiet for both wildlife and humans.

EXAMPLES OF WHAT THE COUNTY SHOULD INCLUDE IN A MANAGEMENT PLAN

• Prohibit all powered and non-powered watercraft at the lagoon.

• Enforce leash laws and consider prohibiting dogs at Deer Lagoon .

• If dogs are allowed, provide a disposal option for properly bagged dog waste .

• Prevent dogs from disturbing birds by chasing after them, damaging their nests, and possibly injuring them or even killing chicks.

• Prohibit people from harming the habitat by destroying trees and plants.

• Provide a safe environment that will encourage all birds, including the rare and recently arrived visitor the American White Pelicans, to nest and flourish at Deer Lagoon.

• Prohibit kitesurfing at the lagoon, which scares, harasses and endangers waterfowl.

• Prohibit the use of drones at Deer Lagoon.

Provision for enforcement by the County also needs to be included in the management plan.

HOW DOES THIS PROCESS WORK

Island County Planning and Community Development compiles and processes public comments through various steps including public meetings, then provides its findings to the three Island County commissioners. The Planning Commission also advises the commissioners on Comprehensive Plan updates.

Ultimately, the three commissioners have the final say as to what updates are included into the new Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, after submitting your comments to the official Comprehensive Plan email (number 1 below), please also reach out and comment directly to the three Commissioners noted below in number 2. Other options to send your comments are provided further down the page.

TO ACCESS THE ISLAND COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SITE CLICK HERE

This site explains the Comprehensive Plan history, process, timelines, and reasons for the updates, presents the links to the FAQs (also see below), as well as the schedule for the public participation plan. Also available is a link to the existing Comprehensive Plan that was updated back in 2016. The FAQs provide a link to a page that details how you can submit comments and recommendations for consideration in the updates.

Important questions and answers regarding the Comprehensive Plan can be found in the FAQs here.

Topics on the FAQ page that help explain more about this process are:

What is a Comprehensive Plan?
What is the Growth Management Act?
Why do we need a Comprehensive Plan?
How do I submit changes, make recommendations, or stay involved in the process?
Who is responsible for developing and approving the Comprehensive Plan?

SHARE YOUR COMMENTS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCERNS TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. The Comprehensive Plan comment page.

2. Our County Commissioners oversee the management of Deer Lagoon Preserve. Here is how to reach them:

Melanie Bacon
email: district1@islandcountywa.gov
Phone: (360) 679-7354

Jill Johnson
email: district2@islandcountywa.gov
Phone: (360) 679-7354

Janet St. Clair
email: district3@islandcountywa.gov
Phone: (360) 679-7354

Commissioners can also be reached by mail at:
Island County Commissioner's Office, 1 NE 7th Street, Room 214, Coupeville, WA 98239

3. The Island County Planning Commission is comprised of nine volunteer citizens who advise the three county commissioners on Comprehensive Plan updates.

Check out who is on the Planning Commission here.

You may also want to contact the Planning Commission secretary who can also forward on your comments:

Email: planningdept@islandcountywa.gov
Phone: (360) 678-7802

Planning Commission
Main Phone Line: (360) 679-7339

4. Deer Lagoon Preserve management is overseen by the Island County Department of Public Works.

Public Works: Director Fred Snoderly email: f.snoderly@islandcountywa.gov

You may also want to contact the Public Works secretary who can also forward on your comments, email: c.herrera@islandcountywa.gov

5. You may also submit a letter to the editor of our local newspapers The Whidbey News-Times and the South Whidbey Record.

editor@whidbeynewsgroup.com

Thank you for taking the time to make your voice heard and for helping to protect, preserve and restore this Whidbey gem for the enjoyment of generations to come.

Banner Photo: Carlos Andersen