Do you Remember?
When folks could actually sit on a float in the area of the ferry docks and enjoy the time fishing, get on and off their boat with ease, and more? Many islanders do remember this..
But right now there is no Public dock or float accessible to all islanders.
Lummi Island currently lacks publicly accessible dockage for the temporary tie-up of watercraft and other uses. Nor is this part of the planned ferry replacement & dock upgrades.
This lack of safe access to our surrounding marine waters severely limits the many recreational boat owners in the area and limits the Island’s emergency action plans.
When boaters wish to pick up or drop off passengers or supplies, they are left with few options. They can anchor offshore and use a dinghy to come ashore, risk damaging their craft by beaching on the gravel, or, if the season allows, Scenic Estate residents may use their private association dock.
If they’re not fortunate enough to have moored at a dock, then our fellow islanders and friends must negotiate their route on foot over slick algae covered rocks and ascend the precarious riprap and boulders. Finally reaching their destination, they realize they’re going to have to do it all over again to get back out to the boat. And the tide’s changing. Challenging for some and impossible for others.
My late sister Karen, myself, and our dog “Red” at the old ferry dock floats, about 1953. The ferry “Acorn” is tied up beside us, still in her WWII gray paint. Far in the background, one can barely make out the Lane Spit Lighthouse.
The LICA sponsored Public Dock Advisory Committee is working on the concept of bringing back the old days when a dock existed.. for all residents. They have been invited to speak at the Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Commission meeting March 17th to present their work. Your response is vital for the presentation.
A printed version of the Survey and Information will be at the Island Library and the Islander if you like paper. The online version of the survey is below.
We encourage all Islanders to participate in the Survey before March 15th, 2022
The following is a recent account from Mary Ross, who shared her experience illustrating Lummi Island’s need for an additional mainland access plan.
On Saturday July 31, 2021 the Whatcom Chief’s rudder control system failed causing a prolonged ferry outage on a very busy summer weekend. The outage lasted from around 2 p.m. until service resumed around 7 a.m. the following day. Shortly after the outage began my husband Jim had an urgent medical situation arise that required him to go to the ER at the hospital to resolve. At that point his situation was urgent but not life threatening so calling the helicopter for medical evac was not a viable option.
Our wonderful Fire Department volunteers who responded to my call for assistance helped to quickly arrange for an aid car to meet us at Gooseberry to get him to the ER, if we could get him across the water. Because Good Samaritans used their vessels on that day to transport many many people who were stranded on both sides of Hale Passage during the prolonged outage, Jim received the medical care he urgently needed.
While Jim and I were climbing down, and then back up the large rocks that make up the riprap next to the ferry dock, I became very aware that Lummi Island really needs a place that is easy and safe to access during a ferry outage or a major Island emergency. For these times, we need a place where private or contracted vessels can land safely and quickly – without needing to take at least 5 hours to put in the floats like for dry dock.
The Public Dock Advisory Committee has been meeting weekly since September 2021, working towards the goal of meeting the needs of our community by creating the best plan of action that will facilitate those needs and initiate the processes of constructing a permanent public dock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How would the dock be funded?
A: We are working with the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Commission to seek public and/or private partnerships and grant money for this project. There is no plan to request a tax levy on Lummi Islanders.
Q: Would the dock be used for overnight stays?
A: No, the dock is intended for short term usage only, similar to other community docks in the San Juan Islands. The project is NOT a marina.
Q: Where would the dock be built?
A: The proposed site is where the existing Lummi Island Beach Access Park is, in front of the Beach Store Café. This property is owned by Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department.
Q: How would dock usage and security be handled?
A: The Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department monitors their parks via remote cameras.
Q: Would the dock be available year-round?
A: We envision a pier and gangway with at least one section of dock that could be raised and lowered year-round, weather permitting.
More questions?
You can find the full presentation handout from the Lummi Island Town Hall Meeting HERE. The link to replay the Town Hall Zoom recording is HERE.