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PRESS RELEASE
Purchase Protects Nearshore Habitat
The public can now enjoy a longer beach walk when visiting Libbey Beach County Park, located between Coupeville and Oak Harbor (see directions below). The Land Trust purchased 1,200 feet of private tidelands that will be donated to Island County as an addition to the park. Commissioner Mike Shelton expressed appreciation of the future gift, saying “Public tidelands are one of-Island County’s greatest assets, especially when they adjoin a public park. For the residents of Island County, present and future, thank you.”
Libbey Beach Park is a great place to picnic, walk, explore the diverse nearshore environment and observe a wide variety of shorebirds. These include Harlequin Ducks that feed just offshore, Black Oystercatchers feeding on the rocks at low tides, and Double-crested Cormorants, Common and Red-Throated Loons, Horned and Western Grebes, Surf Scoters, gulls and more.
Island County is encircled by 221 miles of shoreline - nearly 9% of all shoreline in Puget Sound. Less than 50% of its tidelands are publicly owned. There are 44 publicly-owned properties in the County that provide saltwater access to the beach. However, acquiring additional public beach access and tidelands remains a high priority for Islanders. Commissioner Shelton pointed out that it is hard to overstate the importance of the ability to access our salt water environment when you live on an island.
Tidelands are the strip of land between ordinary low water and ordinary high water. They are part of a very diverse and vital nearshore habitat that provide a rich and abundant source of food and shelter for large numbers of fish and wildlife species.
Nearshore habitat deterioration has been identified as the largest threat to the health of Puget Sound waters (British Columbia/Washington Marine Science Panel 1994). In the past, eelgrass beds and mudflats were dismissed as wastelands: too wet and salty for farming, too shallow for shipping and suitable only for diking and filling. Today, conversely, muddy shores are known to be the most productive habitat in Puget Sound.
We at the Land Trust are excited to be able to acquire this important stretch of tidelands and transfer it to the community for the enjoyment and benefit of all!
DIRECTIONS: Libbey Beach Park is located close to Fort Ebey State Park. Turn off Highway 20 onto Libbey Road and follow the road one mile to the end. The newly acquired tidelands are located adjacent to the north side of the park.
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