Sail Fast!

By Tim O'Neil 
 
The National Park Service needs to balance the needs of all users of the park and the public in general before spending the tax payers money on projects like this one. Wetlands are important, but choosing one specific area to receive large amounts funding while others go neglected does not serve the public in any way.  
 
Many groups use the Dyke Marsh and the surrounding area. Naturalists, birders, boaters, hunters, fishermen, hikers, walkers, bicyclists, kayakers, etc... can all be found in this area. One group should not dictate the use of an area just because they are able to write letters and lobby on Capitol Hill to exert legislative leverage. All park users can share this resource together.  
 
In many urban parks such as Gateway or Golden Gate National Recreation Areas, it has been demonstrated that recreation can coexist with the protection of environmental and cultural resources. These users of the park act as the "eyes and ears" of the National Park Service in a time when budget shortfalls have cut the number of Park Rangers and park maintenance staff.  
 
Any plan such as the ridiculous "Alternative Concept D", that eliminates an entire group's use of an area, needs to show a serious justification for such an extreme action. The use of questionable environmental surveys is not adequate.  
 
The loss of Dyke Marsh through man's action 50 years ago and the resultant natural erosion of the soil into the river is a fact of life in every ecosystem. One must accept these changes and not spend extraordinary sums of money to "restore" a natural area that is meant to be in a constant state of flux.  
 
A reasonable course of action would be to focus on a cost effective solution to preventing the loss of more marsh area, and creating a breakwater extending from Hog Island, as illustrated in "Alternative Concept B", to catch sediments and allow nature to reestablish the Dyke Marsh over time.  
 
Containment cells in certain areas may be considered in a second phase of the project. Dredging of the channel to the Belle Haven Marina is another option that would provide benefit to both the natural area and the boating community.  
 
The Belle Haven Marina is situated on the north end of the Dyke Marsh area and provides the only access to Dyke Marsh for naturalists, kayakers, and many sailboats. The boating community and fishermen are keenly aware of environmental protection issues and they are stakeholders in the future of Dyke Marsh.  
 
Any plan that eliminates the Belle Have Marina or public access to the area should be strongly opposed. Users of the park are the stewards of the environment. Providing access to the Dyke Marsh area for all users and working with each group as team partners is the only sustainable and practical solution to the future of this area.

I don't believe that option "D" closes the Belle Haven Marina. Admittedly, it crowds the Marina, but it leaves the peninsula, the slips, and the access to the river intact. Option D "optionally" fills the present mooring area, but that option need not be exercised.

I was shocked to learn that there was a possibility that the Belle Haven Marina might be either closed or even crowded. In this age of concern over fuel consumption, heavy traffic and physical fitness having a sailing marina so close to the DC metropolitan area is a treasure not to be dismissed lightly. It is so pleasent to see sailing/boating encouragingly and safely offered to all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and skill levels. I have not seen this in many other more richly endowed sailing/boating venues. Let's enthusically keep the Marina as it supports so many of our national and personal goals, and so I oppose Option D.

Oh No to option D. Please dont take away the public sailing and kyacking area. This is a lovely a place where fresh air,fun, invigorating exercise, and a chance to acquire and appreciate nature and your own skills rule the day. We meet and get to know all ages, races, and experience levels at the Marina. By the way - we are saving gas by not going far afield to enjoy a break form the pressures of city life.