Outdoors
Scene
While most of Puget Sound crabbing closes, SJ stays open
Check out what’s hot on the island music scene this month
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Editorial
SJC’s derelict vessel removal program is back. Will abandoned vessels get the attention they deserve? PAGE 7
Journal
The 75¢ Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Vol. 104 Issue 36
of the San Juan Islands
www.sanjuanjournal.com
Big boost for ‘Scenic Byway’ Grants help increase and manage tourism By Cali Bagby
Scenic byways are known for the stories they tell about the landscape. San Juan Islands Scenic Byways Partnership has recently been awarded two grants to help tell the stories of the natural and cultural history of routes on the islands and surrounding waters. “Now that we have an ‘official’ scenic byway we can apply for more grants to bring more visitors, educate and receive more monetary resources,” said Deborah Hopkins, director of the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau and the scenic byway leader. “Eventually we’d like to apply for National Scenic Byway status.” The San Juan Islands Scenic Byway, made official in 2008, includes San Juan Island, Orcas Island and the ferry routes. It is Washington’s first marine route and consists of a 30-mile marine route and an 85-mile land route. It begins at the ferry dock in Anacortes and travels through Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and Orcas Village on Orcas Island. Alaska is the only other state in the nation to have a marine route in its scenic byway. Shaw and Lopez opted to stay out of the byway. Hopkins said the two grants couldn’t have come at a better time, as the partnership is almost finished with its Corridor Management Plan, which outlines strategies to manage tourism and protect natural and cultural resources. “It also defines the kind of tour-
ist we want to attract,” said Liz Illg, scenic byway coordinator. “We want visitors that take an interest in the natural and historical preservation, we want people who want to learn about local farming and who want to get out of their cars to explore the island.” The first grant for $33,190 will be used for creating and posting signs for the routes. The current sign, shown left, features Mt. See BYWAY, Page 4
Journal file photo
On the 10th observance of 9/11, Friday Harbor will honor the victims of the Sept. 11 terriorists attacks with a tribute Sunday, beginning at 9 a.m., at Memorial Park. Above from right, Mayor Carrie Lacher and town Administrator King Fitch, and wife, Pam, take time out to pay tribute to 9/11 victims during last year’s ceremony.
Fishing boat falls to watery grave Recovery of 50 gallons of diesel deemed too risky at 120 below surface of the water By Scott Rasmussen
Baker, madrone tree, and a ferry The afate of a fishing boat that on the water. and then sank near ran aground “Many people even to know Decatur Island don’t appears be about the scenic byway,” said sealed. Hopkins, who hopes the signs will And since the TW Legacy bring rests awareness only the now some to 120notfeet below route,surface but preservation con-a the of Thatcherand Pass, servation of swept these by areas. “In curthe watery grave strong futurestate we could have signs for subrents, and federal officials are tours, like farms and barns inclined toaleave it alone — atloop, least or anow. history and culture loop.” for The second grant $171,680, “We didn’t see theforneed given will risks be used explore transportathe andto the amount of fuel tion alternatives visitors and onboard, ” state for Department of locals traveling the byway, Ecology spokesman Larrynamely Altose a shuttle pilot project. said of sending divers to such a “The“In shuttles are the a public bendepth. addition, sea bed is efit,” rocky Illg said. want to build very and “We that would make it local enthusiasm to support local
much more complex and risky for a dive in that area.” Altose said the risks would outweigh the benefits in making an attempt to recover the relatively small amount of diesel fuel that is believed to be onboard, some 50 gallons or so. Based out of La Conner, the Legacy, a 62-foot commercial fishing boat, ran into a reef at the east end of Thatcher Pass Aug. 27, at about 2 a.m. and then sank later that day. Altose said the vessel’s six-person crew, and later the U.S. Coast Guard, were unable to keep the boat upright and in place as the tide ebbed. It slid down a sub-
merged embankment and came to rest about 120 feet below the surface. The crew was taken to a Coast Guard cutter and then transported to Bellingham. According to Coast Guard Petty Officer Nathan Bradshaw, the Legacy struck the rocks after its captain fell asleep at the wheel. A sheen of oil was spotted in the vicinity of the sunken vessel the following day. For the time being, Altose said the area will continued to be monitored for possible fuel leaks or pollution. He said Ecology staff saw no sign of a fuel leak or sheen on Thursday while surveying the area in a helicopter provided by the King County Sheriff ’s office. Altose noted that dives below 65 feet require use of a hyperSee LEGACY, Page 4
The Journal: Serving the islands since 1906. SanJuanJournal.com: Serving the islands since 1998
Wolverines Sports Preview
Fall Sports: ready to kick off D ays grow shorter. Light begins to fade. Leaves change color and there’s a certain crispness in the air. It can mean only one thing. That’s right. Friday Harbor high school’s fall sports season is under way. Inside you’ll find a preview of each of the Friday Harbor’s four fall sports teams, complete with team photos, schedules and a glimpse of the goals and challenges ahead. The Wolverines volleyball team, though young and without a single senior, is looking to improve upon its breakout season of
a year ago. Numbers are few on the boys tennis team roster, but three postseason qualifiers are back on the court. Led by a promising young quarterback, the Friday Harbor football team has its sights set on turning a page and making its presence known in post-season play. A fleet-footed girls soccer team may have what it needs to overcome the loss of six starters to graduation and to claim its fourth consecutive league title. Read about each team and its prospects for the 2011 fall sports season; pages 9-12.
Fall Sports Preview Look for coverage of high school fall sports teams, featuring photos, schedules and previews; pages 9-12