leque island news?

[Stilly bay]

any news about leque's fate? I saw they were doing some repair work recently but can't find any info about it.

[singleshot12]

I don't think anyone really knows the long term fate of Leque Island not even wdfw. Maybe more will be confirmed after the water quality study has been finalized But do know there are atleast a couple differant groups(including DU) that want it to turn it into a saltwater muck! similar to what happened to the Skagit Headquarters walk in access.
I grew up with the Leque family and know for a fact that when they sold the property to the state that it was made clear that the dikes would be maintained and it would remain open to hunting walk in access "Forever" so never could figure why it was ever considered or proposed to be turned into a so-called salmon estuary in the first place   I'm all for helping salmon but don't think by flooding established public hunting areas is going to help one bit. 

[Special T]

I won't renew my DU membership just because of the Skagit Headquarters "project". What a crock!

[Stilly bay]

from what I understand WWA's legal battle to keep it open is losing or at a standstill at best.

last year when it was drained and reopened hundreds if not thousands of people used it during the fall and winter. hunting season is over and bird watchers and people who enjoy nature are still using it. the place will be sorely missed if it were returned to the salmon. plus how many pesticides are they releasing into the water system by flooding leque? also I imagine they will have to spend even more of our money fortifying SR532 (camano islands only exit on or off the island) against tidal erosion.

it seems ridiculous to try so hard and spend (waste) so much money to convert leques 300+ acres into salmon habitat when they can just leave it  be and have it as boon to stanwood's economy and not to mention a valuable recreational resource for the residents.

[singleshot12]

It's very disturbing and perplexing that hunting areas can be lost this way. It makes absolutely no sense and calling the whole thing ridiculous is an understatement

[Special T]

It is the whole ESA crap that has been going on will all kinds of species...I've hunted there several times and it pisses me off that hunting orgs like DU and other supposed "pro hunters" get behind this crap. Duck hunting is getting to be a sport where you have to own a boat. 

[singleshot12]

plus how many pesticides are they releasing into the water system by flooding leque? also I imagine they will have to spend even more of our money fortifying SR532 (camano islands only exit on or off the island) against tidal erosion.

I see endless lawsuits costing everyone involved . can not see the logic behind it. 

[NW-GSP]

Any updates on this?