1993 ❖ WATMOUGH BIGHT GIFT

 

"Our family started the preservation project at Watmough. In 1992, we purchased the beach and the adjoining wetland which had been a favorite place for beer parties. We cleaned up the beach and built the gate and the small parking area. This way, people could not drive to and on the beach as before. We installed signs for daytime use only. Knowing how much the place was treasured by the people of the island, we decided to donate the beach and the wetland outright to the County, with the provision that it should remain open for people to enjoy and not be turned into a restricted preserve. Subsequently, we sold additional waterfront property and a large hillside on Watmough to the BLM for preservation. The rest of the shore was acquired for the public by purchase or trade. Over the years, we have received many comments and notes of thanks from people who bring visitors to Watmough, or just go and enjoy the quiet beauty of the place.
      A letter from the County Commissioners, dated January 19, 1993, may be of interest:

Dear Stuart and Ilse:

On Tuesday, January 12, we formally accepted your Watmough Bay gift. It was very exciting for this new Board of Commissioners to be accepting that spectacular property for the community as the Land Bank's first acquisition.
      We are particularly pleased to know that through your foresight the public will always be able to use that cherished beach. We hope your gift will be a model and inspiration for other property owners in the future.

      Thank you for your generosity.

Sincerely,

Board of County Commissioners, San Juan County, WA.

Thomas R. Cowan, Chairman

Thomas C. Starr, Member

John B. Evans, Member

This letter to the Islands' Sounder published 5 Sept. 2007 was signed by:
Stuart and Ilse Oles, Lopez Island.