Comments on: Who will lead for Puget Sound and Chesapeake Bay? http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2009/09/10/who-will-lead-for-puget-sound-and-chesapeake-bay/ Environmental reporter Christopher Dunagan discusses the challenges of protecting Puget Sound and all things water-related. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:11:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: 8string http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2009/09/10/who-will-lead-for-puget-sound-and-chesapeake-bay/comment-page-1/#comment-14778 8string Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:14:31 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/?p=3458#comment-14778 Interestingly, while I was working at the Wooden Boat show this weekend, an older gentleman came up to our booth and asked, "I'm from Mystic Seaport on the east coast, and if you guys have such a great place out here, how come I can look down in the water and see no bait fish at all? What's the story?" His astute observation was right on the money. As was Ms. Fletcher's observations. We have studied this problem to death, we need strong education of the public to the problems, and the solutions. There are lots of known solutions, but little will, even at agencies that are tasked with saving Puget Sound, to put their feet into the fire of public debate. It's left up to Ms. Fletcher and People For Puget Sound, along with other non-profits, to call these government bodies to task for their lack of real enforcement of the laws and regulations *already* on the books. Interestingly, while I was working at the Wooden Boat show this weekend, an older gentleman came up to our booth and asked, “I’m from Mystic Seaport on the east coast, and if you guys have such a great place out here, how come I can look down in the water and see no bait fish at all? What’s the story?” His astute observation was right on the money. As was Ms. Fletcher’s observations. We have studied this problem to death, we need strong education of the public to the problems, and the solutions. There are lots of known solutions, but little will, even at agencies that are tasked with saving Puget Sound, to put their feet into the fire of public debate. It’s left up to Ms. Fletcher and People For Puget Sound, along with other non-profits, to call these government bodies to task for their lack of real enforcement of the laws and regulations *already* on the books.

]]> By: BlueLight http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2009/09/10/who-will-lead-for-puget-sound-and-chesapeake-bay/comment-page-1/#comment-14774 BlueLight Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:57:16 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/?p=3458#comment-14774 I wonder if Chesapeake Bay's restoration is hindered by politically-correct avoidance of REAL issues. Like ours is. I wonder if Chesapeake Bay’s restoration is hindered by politically-correct avoidance of REAL issues. Like ours is.

]]> By: Howard Ernst http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2009/09/10/who-will-lead-for-puget-sound-and-chesapeake-bay/comment-page-1/#comment-14773 Howard Ernst Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:51 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/?p=3458#comment-14773 Your readers may be interested to know that in mid October I have a new book coming out about the politics of environmental restoration. Its title is Fight for the Bay: Why a Dark Green Environmental Awakening is Needed to Save Chesapeake Bay. They can learn more about the book from my website: www.howardernst.com Your readers may be interested to know that in mid October I have a new book coming out about the politics of environmental restoration.

Its title is Fight for the Bay: Why a Dark Green Environmental Awakening is Needed to Save Chesapeake Bay.

They can learn more about the book from my website:
http://www.howardernst.com

]]> By: John F. Williams http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2009/09/10/who-will-lead-for-puget-sound-and-chesapeake-bay/comment-page-1/#comment-14772 John F. Williams Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:44:13 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/?p=3458#comment-14772 Federal and state commissions alike, and even the Puget Sound Partnership themselves have pointed out time and time again how important public support is for making truly effective changes, yet time and time again the public is left out of the discussion (as in this article, though I must say that the blog itself and the blogger are doing a tremendous job of including the public in the discussion). Sure, we can put pressure on the scientists and politicians to coerce the agencies to get tough with regulations affecting polluters and developers -- but doesn't that sound a lot like the quagmire the Shoreline Management effort is in? Until the public are educated about our marine ecosystem and related issues, and until they coalesce to demand action, political and regulatory pressure will be like trying to herd rocks uphill -- the rocks will attempt to find an escape route at every opportunity. Federal and state commissions alike, and even the Puget Sound Partnership themselves have pointed out time and time again how important public support is for making truly effective changes, yet time and time again the public is left out of the discussion (as in this article, though I must say that the blog itself and the blogger are doing a tremendous job of including the public in the discussion).

Sure, we can put pressure on the scientists and politicians to coerce the agencies to get tough with regulations affecting polluters and developers — but doesn’t that sound a lot like the quagmire the Shoreline Management effort is in? Until the public are educated about our marine ecosystem and related issues, and until they coalesce to demand action, political and regulatory pressure will be like trying to herd rocks uphill — the rocks will attempt to find an escape route at every opportunity.

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