Conservation Committee Updates

By Jackie Lasater, Conservation Committee Chair

The Whidbey Audubon Society Conservation Committee has added two new projects: 

• Responding to decreased lake levels at Crockett Lake. A few Audubon members have expressed concerns that a decline in lake levels may be responsible for a decline in bird species at the lake and in the surrounding wetland areas. The Conservation Committee, in collaboration with the Whidbey Environmental Action Network and Whidbey Camano Land Trust, is researching which entity has the authority/responsibility to make repairs or replace the malfunctioning tide gate next to Callen’s Restaurant that is contributing to the lower lake level. Initial fact finding indicates that Drainage/Diking District #6 (DD6), the entity that would normally be responsible for the malfunctioning tide gate, may be inactive. We are waiting for a response from Island County as to the official status of the district. If DD6 is, in fact, inactive, we will be asking Island County to assume management of the district.

• Securing a site for the Motus tower. The Conservation Committee has agreed to work with Doug Fortner, WAS board member and the new Whidbey Audubon lead for Motus, on securing an installation site for the Motus tower and equipment. We will keep you posted!

If you would like to join the Conservation Committee and work on one, or both, of the new projects noted, contact: conservation@whidbeyaudubonsociety.org.