Donate

In August 2023, King County issued a permit for the 10-acre kelp farm in Fern Cove. The Alliance appealed that decision. Our case was heard by the Shorelines Hearings Board (SHB) on December 11, 2023. On February 28, 2024, SHB members ruled against us. We have since appealed the SHB decision to state Superior Court. Alliance members are covering most of the cost of the Superior Court appeal. But if you are able and inclined to contribute, we’d be most grateful.

Send your check to:

Fern Cove Preservation Alliance
66 W Etruria Street
Seattle, WA 98119

Volunteer

We can always use help with research, reviewing documents, public outreach and education, fundraising and website upkeep. If you have an interest and a skill set, please Contact Us.

Spread the word

Alert your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues that a very large (10-acre) commercial kelp farm may well be bobbing at the entrance to Fern Cove for the next 12 years. Urge them to speak out on behalf of Fern Cove by weighing in with appropriate regulatory agencies and organizations (see below) and by showing up for the December appeal before the Shoreline Hearings Board. Be the squeaky wheel.

Contact the Regulatory Agencies

King County

County officials have already fast-tracked a permit for the 10-acre farm. The Alliance’s appeal of that decision begins on December 11. Weigh in with:

King County Executive Dow Constantine, info@dowconstantine.com
King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, teresa.mosqueda@kingcounty.gov
King County Shoreline Steward for Vashon-Maury Island, Greg Rabourn, greg.rabourn@kingcounty.gov

US Army Corps of Engineers

The Corps has yet to issue a permit. The volume of public comments and concerns it received prompted the agency to delay its deadline for an Environmental Assessment of the kelp farm proposal until April 30, 2024. (We applaud this effort to honor community concerns and review the proposal with due scientific rigor.) Be sure to include the application’s Reference Number in any communication: NWS-2022-0584.

Matthew J. Bennet
Chief, Special Programs Section,
Regulatory Branch
matthew.j.bennett@usace.army.mil

Washington State Department of Natural Resources

DNR is responsible for approving (or not) the requested 10-acre, 12-year lease of public aquatic lands. The agency has not yet made a decision. Be sure to include this application number in any communication: #20-103970.

Sean Carlson, Aquaculture District Land Manager-Puget Sound & Straits
sean.carlson@dnr.wa.gov

Also copy:
Dave Upthegrove, Commissioner of Public Lands, cpl@dnr.wa.gov
Brady.Scott@dnr.wa.gov
Thomas.Gorman@dnr.wa.gov
Jillian.Greenwood@dnr.wa.gov

Contact our Vashon-Maury Island Stewards

Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust
info@vashonlandtrust.org
206.463.2644

Vashon Parks District
Elaine Ott-Rocheford, executive director
eott@vashonparkdistrict.org

Vashon Nature Center
info@vashonnaturecenter.org
206.755.5798

Vashon Audubon Society
info@vashonaudubon,org

King County Shoreline Steward
Greg Rabourn
greg.Rabourn@kingcounty.gov