Editor,

I am concerned about the pot farm proposal on Bayview Road. It seems that this oversized project is moving way too fast and that all Island County residents should be made aware of the serious ramifications of allowing this precedent to be set. A hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, in the Commissioners Hearing Room in Coupeville.

Many have already seen the shiny 10-foot-high aluminum security fence that encloses this 2-acre operation. The fence is a requirement of the Washington State Alcohol and Cannabis Board. The proposed facility will consist of three greenhouses, three shipping containers, plus a 26,000-square-foot area for outdoor growing of marijuana that will be under constant video surveillance. Can Island County law enforcement respond adequately to this increased risk?

Will there be employees and large delivery trucks coming and going on Country Lane (a dirt road)? Will emergency vehicles have sufficient access?

The facility is situated in a wetland flood zone. A stream runs from the south end of Lone Lake to Useless Bay and is designated as regulated for fish. We pass over this stream several times a day and enjoy the various antics of our wildlife friends. There are mink, muskrats, beaver, quail, turtles, heron, bunnies, chipmunks, frogs, snakes and more who depend on this flow of fresh water. This operation’s solid and liquid waste disposal is questionable. Growing commercial grade marijuana requires the use of fertilizers/nitrates, fungicides, and weed killers. Tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC) will be abundantly present. How will that affect wildlife habitat? Shouldn’t downstream neighbors be concerned about pollution to their wells and the possibility going dry due to the volume of water that will be used?

This facility will be an eyesore and a blight to what has been a beautiful historic Whidbey Island farmscape.

The humming noise and bright lights from fans and grow lights will be intrusive. The fragrance of stinky skunk weed will blow in the breeze and be repugnant to most residents and passersby. Children who reside on all sides of the pot farm will be the most bothered by that unmistakable odor.

Legal, commercially grown marijuana is a recent development for our state. Counties and municipalities need to understand and protect its citizens and environment by creating ordinances not nuisances.

Ask Island County officials for a postponement of the hearing to allow for more public input.

Sincerely,

MARY JANE MILLER

Langley