Port of Tacoma Public Access Plan - Your Thoughts?
How do you want to “… reach, touch and enjoy the water’s edge, to travel on the waters of the state, and to view the water and the shoreline from adjacent locations?” You have a chance to share your ideas with the City and Port of Tacoma at a series of upcoming meetings to address the Port’s public access plan.
The City of Tacoma’s updated Shoreline Master Program requires public agencies, including the Port of Tacoma, to provide public access when development projects require a City shoreline permit. In the past, the City waived public access requirements for projects with safety or security concerns. However, under the new program, if safety or security issues prevent public access from being provided on-site, the City will require public access be provided at another location.
The Port is expected to complete its plan this summer. They will be seeking input from the public and from stakeholders at meetings this summer.
Current access points for the Port include habitat restoration and kayak launch space; views of wetland habitat, intertidal marsh, mudflats, salmon habitat areas, and open spaces; and a 4-story observation tower in the Port Administration building parking lot with views of the Sitcum Waterway, rail yards and marine terminals. So, that’s what they have.
What are your priorities for public access? Kayak launches? Bird watching? Picnic tables? Any creative ideas you don’t think have gotten enough attention?
For more on the Port of Tacoma’s public access plan, including meeting dates, visit www.PortofTacoma.com/public-access-plan, or read more from the Tacoma Daily Index
Filed under: port-of-tacoma, Get-Involved
3 comments
A Andy June 14, 2012
Here’s an idea: why not let the port be the port? Spend the money down where citizens can walk to other businesses. I wish they’d have a better plan for the new grant on Pacific Ave, road work on Stadium Way, and the development Point Ruston. It’s fairly obvious to see the direction (literally) where that is going. I get tired of all these regulations and stipulations when receiving a contract….why do we need public access in the busiest working area of Tacoma? Why not embrace the blue collar sector of the port while also embracing the atmosphere from Downtown, to Stadium, to Old Town, to Point Ruston? But, don’t go the opposite direction. Tacoma is so frustrating.
R Radar June 16, 2012
As an avid kayaker, I really like the launch site the port built on Marine View Drive. Tacoma has surprisingly few places to safely launch paddle powered craft, including canoes and SUPs, so the more the merrier. A place with a bit more parking would be nice.
J Jenny Jenkins June 19, 2012
I like the idea of preserving public access down there, but it seems they need to do a better job of getting the word out that there even is a way for the public to use space down there – no one’s just going to happen by.
Also, maybe they could partner with SAMI to let students have opportunities to learn about water quality and habitat issues, etc.