FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2010
State DNR and City of Bainbridge Island enter into lease agreement for Eagle Harbor Open Water Marina
Current boat owners in Eagle Harbor encouraged to contact City and DNR for open water marina space
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the City of Bainbridge Island have entered into a 12-year lease agreement for an open water marina area in Eagle Harbor. After more than a decade of negotiations, this situation is being resolved.
“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to sign a lease that will help us move closer to a cleaner Puget Sound,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “I applaud the hard work of our DNR staff and the support of Senator Phil Rockefeller to ensure that we not only enforce the statutes of the state, but find solutions to continue an important component of Washington’s maritime heritage.”
Under the agreement the City of Bainbridge Island will operate an open water marina area and enforce rules regarding garbage disposal and sewage as written in the lease. The city will be charged annually for use of the state-owned aquatic lands within the leasehold.
During the 2010 legislative session, Sen. Rockefeller was instrumental in working with DNR and the city to help resolve the situation.
Vessel owners need to get into a lease with the City of Bainbridge Island
In November, after more than a decade of rule-making exceptions and negotiations, DNR sent a letter to some 60 vessel owners illegally parked in Eagle Harbor, including a small number of long-time liveaboards. The vessel owners were given 30 days to move their vessel.
With the signing of this lease, long-term liveaboard residents will be able to remain in harbor by entering into a lease with the City.
Now, vessel owners are asked to contact the City of Bainbridge Island about their interest in leasing a spot in the open water marina area or move their vessel out of Eagle Harbor.
DNR-Steward of state aquatic lands
As steward of the 2.6 million acres of state aquatic lands, DNR manages the bedlands under Puget Sound and the coast, many of Washington’s beaches, and natural lakes and navigable rivers. DNR manages these lands not only to facilitate navigation, commerce, and public access, but also to ensure protection of aquatic habitat. State-owned aquatic lands include:
- About 68,100 acres of state-owned tidelands, or 106 square miles
- 90,000 acres of harbor areas
- All submerged marine lands below extreme low tide—that’s 3,430 square miles of bedlands under navigable waters, as well as freshwater shorelands and bedlands
Peter Goldmark, who administers the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, is Washington’s 13th Commissioner of Public Lands since statehood in 1889.
Media Contact: Aaron Toso, Director of Communications & Outreach, 360-902-1023, aaron.toso@dnr.wa.gov
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