by Carl Shipley Ph.D. (7/19/2010)

Don Flora, a retired Ph.D. living on Bainbridge Island, has written an analysis of data from two large Battelle Institute studies of Kitsap shoreline, pointing out that these studies failed to document clear effects of proposed environmental stressors such as bulkheads on measures of nearshore environmental health. Flora’s analysis has caused some controversy because it challenges basic assumptions used in the development of shoreline management policies. In a paper distributed to the media, R.B. Nerf criticized Flora’s work on mathematical grounds, arguing that Flora’s use of linear statistics was not adequate for analysis of complex data which might have had nonlinear characteristics. The purpose of the following paper is to examine Nerf’s analysis to determine if it constitutes a reasonable criticism of Flora’s work.

by Don Flora (7/18/2010)

by Kitsap Alliance of Property Owners (4/11/2010)

We believe that our assessment demonstrates sufficient deficiencies and failures in the planning to require that the current version of the DEIS be abandoned and a new document prepared which addresses the actual transportation needs of the region's citizens – specifically a plan which will eliminate highway congestion while allowing people the freedom to choose to drive their vehicles where and when they want without punitive tolling, excessive fuel taxation, or other purposely-intended restrictive controls.
It is significant that the DEIS bases much of its planning on the underlying assumption that greenhouse gasses, particularly carbon dioxide, must be severely reduced to protect society from the effects of climate change. This assumption actually drives the planning, which mandates major reductions in vehicle miles traveled and fuel consumption – goals which are incompatible with a growing region's actual transportation needs.
A large body of hard scientific data refuting this global warming theory is now in the literature. It is unconscionable for the PSRC to remain silent on this relevant scientific evidence, much of which comes from government sources and other respected institutions – all of which would completely invalidate the PSRC planning approach.

Michael Shaw of www.freedomadvocates.org explains the real purposes of United Nations Sustainable Development (UN AGENDA 21) He goes over the goals of these designs, which would make any freedom-loving person gasp. Sustainable Development isn't as it sounds. It's not about "Sustainable Development", it's not about people being "self-sustaining" and it's not about "Development" as the American mind understands it.
You will learn about how they redefine words and give them new meanings to "fool" we the people. You will learn how poison is sold as sugar; basically that is what's going on.
Do you think your "private property" is an evil thing? Well the United Nations does. You will be amazed and upset at what is going on in the name of "saving the Earth". We all love the Earth, it's our home, but some very powerful people understand that we do care and they have found that's the best way to fool us towards their desires and against us. Come and learn what is being played out today on mankind towards our very destruction towards the glory of a few fat cats who really don't care about us or the world, only their "Vision" under themselves for the world, and it's not very nice at all. In fact, it is very evil...

by D.F. Flora, PhD (11/30/2009)

A well-known Northwest contract-research firm has shown that a broad array of man-caused features along tidewater shores have no meaningful impact on “ecosystem functions”. Despite an obviously vigorous and fairly complex effort, a relationship between human-installed “stressors” and habitat factors was not found. Statistical analyses of the studies' data show that little of the variation in ecosystem (habitat) functions can be explained by a large basket of stressors. The correlation of multiple stressors with the welfare of nearshore habitats is not significantly different from zero (Bainbridge Island) or extremely low (East Kitsap County)...

by Bob Benze (9/25/2009)

Let's all step back and take a deep breath before we break something that we may never be able to put back together again -- the greatest economy in the world.

by Brian Hodges, Pacific Legal Foundation (7/21/2009)

The County's attempt to include shorelines as part of its CAO update raises a jurisdictional question regarding local government's authority to regulate shoreline property under the GMA after the Legislature adopted Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1933 Laws of 2003, ch. 321 § 1, codified at RCW 90.58.030 and RCW 36.70A.480. As explained below, ESHB 1933 reaffirmed the Legislature's intent that "critical areas within the jurisdiction of the shoreline management act shall be governed by the shoreline management act and that critical areas outside the jurisdiction of the shoreline management act shall be governed by the growth management act." RCW 90.58.030 (Findings, Intent).

In a region enamored of slick, silvery salmon, bottom fish get precious little respect. Biologists have identified more than 80 species, including halibut, skates, ratfish, cod, pollock, several species of sole, and an array of homely, spine-covered creatures generically known as rockfish. ... Rockfish, while scarce, are also survivors. There are plenty of rocky shoals and kelp forests ready to be repopulated with some homely bottomfish. All they ask is an even break.

by John D. Isaacs (2/11/2009)

HEARINGS BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, NINETY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
TESTIMONY OF PROF. JOHN D. ISAACS, DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE OF MARINE RESOURCES, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO.

by Ross Anderson, Seattle Times Reporter (2/11/2009)

Puget Sound is far more complex than we give it credit for. It is both an ecosystem and a web of ecosystems that invite oversimplification and defy understanding...

by Bob Benze (2/11/2009)

Puget Sound is a complex natural system. Historically, human efforts to manage such systems have almost always failed. But the environment changes even when it is left alone – and, historically, the Puget Sound basin is no exception. Unfortunately, this is not recognized by the initial goal that the legislature established for the Partnership, which is to achieve “A healthy human population supported by a healthy Puget Sound that is not threatened by changes in the ecosystem.”

by Bob Benze (1/15/2009)

THE Puget Sound Partnership is a new state agency created to "restore" Puget Sound by 2020. On Dec. 1, the Partnership's Action Agenda was finalized for presentation to the Legislature. An additional $150 million to $200 million in the budget will be required for its implementation. Restoration of Puget Sound was to be based on science. Unfortunately, many of the Agenda's actions lack scientific or historical credibility.

by D. F. Flora (8/15/2007)

Surveys of buffer science relating to wetlands, streams and tidewater are increasingly pointing toward narrow buffers as having attributes adequate for protecting watered lands. Here is some of the relevant literature. There is little Puget Sound data available; most is from Northwest stream shores.

The vision statements under review are those also included in the County Wide Planning Policies (CPP) and the Vision Statements upon which those policies were based. A revision of the Vision statements for the Comprehensive Plan will by regulation require a review and probable revision to the CPP. In that, by regulation, approval of the CPP Precede the development or revision of the Comprehensive Plan, the process current underway is one of circular logic...

by Vivian Henderson, Executive Director, KAPO (2/22/2006)

To: Elizabeth Babcock, National Marine Fisheries Service, Salmon Recovery Division
Re: Draft Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan--Shared Strategy for Puget Sound

None was funded nor solicited by KAPO; indeed many were published before KAPO was even founded. All are clearly relevant to current shoreline issues.
Readers will note that all these studies were taken from the freshwater literature. There is little science available for tidewater riparian areas, so analysts necessarily draw on aquatic science. All Puget Sound science compilers face this shortage, including landowners, consultants, resource management agencies and policymakers.

Two parts to the document, both about 1.8mB download.

Document in two parts.