Fighting for the marina

With time running out for the Ashley National Forest's extended public comment period on the proposed boundary changes at Buckboard Marina, discussions over the future of the marina have continued to provoke strong opinions.

The proposal involves taking away acreage currently considered part of the marina's lease that is in the water of the bay and instead adding acreage on land that extends further along the bay. The initial public comment period was extended and is now set to end Friday, May 19.

Tony Valdez, the current owner of the marina, invited public officials and members of the media to visit Buckboard last Saturday to see the work that has been done on the marina and to discuss the issues affecting the area, including the proposed boundary change. County Commissioner Mary Thoman and Land Use Director Eric Bingham accepted the invitation, and Bingham presented about the discussions from Saturday to the Board of County Commissioners during Tuesday's meeting. Several comments were made on the marina during the county resident comments and concerns period of the meeting as well.

The commissioners voted to ask the Ashley National Forest to go through a NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process so that more information can be shared and the commission can be more involved in the decision regarding Buckboard Marina.

Concerning camping

One of the main concerns about the marina raised by the public throughout the ongoing discussions has been the question of camping on South Buckboard, and the possibility that changing the marina lease boundaries would eliminate camping opportunities. Greg Tanner brought up this concern again during public comments at the commission meeting, and pointed out an unfinished campground at Buckboard Crossing. Jennifer Valdez, also speaking during the public comments time, responded to this option by explaining that the campground he mentioned is managed by an entirely separate company.

When it comes to the effect of the boundary adjustment on camping, Tony Valdez explained during the meeting on Saturday that the area in discussion is already supposed to be a no-camping area. He shared a copy of the forest service's occupancy and use-camping restrictions that explains camping is prohibited within a quarter mile of a developed recreation site. The area on South Buckboard that would be added to the lease if the boundary change is approved is within that quarter mile radius, which people aren't supposed to camp in anyways, Valdez explained.

"I don't believe I'm taking up any public land that I'm not going to be able to let the public use, besides what's legal and not legal to be camped on," Valdez said.

As for whether the boundary adjustment would push the quarter mile zone even further out on the peninsula, Valdez said he has talked with the forest service and they have agreed to make the road the boundary, allowing camping on the other side. Valdez also pointed out there is also an area that is already zoned as a recreation area that could be developed further.

"We're not trying to take up South Buckboard," Valdez said.

Boundary change benefits

As for the ways the boundary change would benefit the marina, Valdez said having the additional land acreage in the lease would give access to deeper water both now and in the future in case of water levels falling even further. Valdez explained a 30-foot drop in water levels, like the marina has seen this year, equates to 400 feet of shoreline, and the docks are 300 feet long.

Having access to deeper water would not only help with dock access, but would also allow the marina to put in a new water system submerged in deeper water that would allow them to have running water year-round and better fire protection. With the current water system, the forest service shuts off the water during the winter so the pipes won't freeze, so Valdez said he's had to bring in 10,000 gallons of water on his own to keep things going every year. Even when the water is on, the fire protection system is limited, and having a new water system would enable Valdez to put in more fire hydrants and have better pressure to be able to fight a fire in case one breaks out.

Ongoing improvements

As for the current services offered at the marina, which have been another subject of discussion, Valdez also has more improvements he'd like to see, but has been doing what he can, putting in his own time, work, and money into making things better. He is also hoping for more help from the federal and state agencies who manage the area as well as resources like grants to keep making improvements in the future.

"We are a full-blown marina," Valdez said, noting the marina offers a tackle store, a marine shop, a weld shop, a layout yard, RV parking, and more.

"The only thing we don't have is fuel," he added, noting that technically offering fuel is not in the definition of a marina, but he realizes it's "the biggest thing the public wants."

Valdez explained the fuel system that was in place when he bought the marina was found to not to be compliant with Department of Environmental Quality standards and had to be shut off.

Dropping water levels have compounded the fuel problem, since now a fuel line would have to run even longer to reach boats on the water, and getting just a fuel line to reach the necessary 700 feet would cost $26,000. The fuel system would also require a vault tank, and the total cost to upgrade the system would be $280,000.

Another safety upgrade would be putting in two break walls to reduce the effect of waves, which is a standard feature in most marinas, according to Valdez, but also costs about $3 million per wall.

Valdez has already put much of his own money into the marina, explaining he bought it for almost $1 million and has put in another roughly $1 million in upgrades and repairs. However, because the lease is on federal land and because of the area's connection to the Ashley National Forest service, there are several things that need to be handled at a state or federal level.

Other improvements Valdez would like to see added to the marina include better access to handicap and veteran parking. He would also like more law enforcement in order to protect public safety and provide a pleasant experience for those using the area. Valdez pointed out that the water is technically United States Coast Guard regulated water, and wondered what it would take to get them here to help.

Valdez also has ongoing concerns about water levels, the effects on fish like kokanee salmon, discussions about endangered species in the area, and more. But he hopes to keep doing his part to make things better as he can.

"This is the fight I'm going to keep fighting," he said.

Working together

While Valdez is willing to keep putting in the work, he said he also needs help and support from both the government and the public.

When it comes to people having concerns, Valdez invites them to visit Buckboard Marina in person, to see what's been happening for themselves, and to have a conversation.

"Let's come up with a solution," he said.

When it comes to the government side of things, working together on solutions is also something the county commissioners hope for. After hearing Eric Bingham's updates during Tuesday's meeting, the commissioners agreed that they feel the process on the proposed boundary changes has been rushed, even with the extension on the comment period, and that the commission was not as involved as it should have been from the beginning.

Commissioner Robb Slaughter said he feels there has been a lack of communication as well as disinformation, which has made it difficult to get the best information to share with the public and to influence any comments coming from the commission. Commissioners Island Richards also noted that currently the Sweetwater Board of County Commissioners is only a commenting entity, not a cooperating agency, so they don't have as much say in the final decision.

Several commissioners noted the plans for the boundary change look good and could be positive, but they wanted to be more involved in the discussion and be able to have more time for the public to receive information and give feedback.

The commissioners agreed to submit comments to the Ashely National Forest service to say the current amendment should be denied in favor of a more thorough NEPA process that everybody can participate in.