Buoy draws the line of controversy in South Lake Union
Controversy has arisen over the placement of a series of buoys near the south bank. Buoys are intended to warn all incoming and outgoing aircraft, but some worry that the messages they send will unduly push other aircraft over the water.
Seattle – Several seaplane companies use Seattle’s Lake Union to carry passengers just a mile (1 mile) away from the city’s business and technology hub.
However, the placement of a series of buoys near the south bank is controversial. Buoys are meant to inform visitors of aircraft takeoffs and landings, but some worry that the messages they send may unduly push others over the water.
Part of the controversy is the language written on the buoys. Even though the agency that regulates buoys says the warning should only be read as an advisory, it may spell out clear instructions for people to permanently remove wide swathes of waterways. Some people worry.
Seaplanes have played an important role in Seattle’s history. The growth of cities will also lead to the growth of industry. Kenmore Air has been operating on the lake for decades. It is now his one of three airliners operating from Lake Union.
Neighbor Peter Erickson said, “It should be a lake for all to use, rather than being carved out for one user in the center of the lake.”
Mr. Erickson lives on the shores of the lake and aloud his allegiance to the Seaplane Environmental Coalition’s campaign Save Lake Union. The campaign argues that the buoys are meant to warn people of approaching aircraft, instead potentially leaving the impression that the water in the area is for seaplanes only.
“There will be more and more flights,” Ericsson said.
For over 70 years, seaplanes have used the lake to transport passengers. The lake is one mile from some of Seattle’s biggest tech companies and is an attractive alternative to Sea-Tac International Airport.
“They can bring in executives from Vancouver,” Darby-Ducombe said. “It’s great to do all that, but it comes at the expense of our neighbors.”
DuComb, the attorney representing the coalition, sent a letter to Seattle officials at the end of August, claiming the buoys did not comply with its permit and asking the regulator to ask the permit owner to amend it. .
The Recreational Boating Association of Washington has bombed the Lake Union neighborhood with a public service announcement asking everyone on the water to be mindful of the waters. The Washington State Department of Environment says the permit limits buoy markings to advisory in nature and does not restrict public proximity. The coalition is complaining that the markings that currently instruct lake people to move 200 feet west or east when aircraft depart and land are inherently inconsistent with permits.
Kenmore Air is responsible for installing and maintaining the buoys. The company’s management told Fox 13 News that it did not agree with the coalition, explaining that the buoy’s wording was a misinterpretation.
Ericsson is concerned that it should be made clear that everyone has the right to access the lake.
“If we don’t do something, it’s going to be a problem,” he said. “Let’s get ahead of ourselves and not react.”
The buoy is seasonal and will be removed from Lake Union over the next few days before being re-installed next summer.
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