Projects List
Other projects:
Les Davis Park
September 2006 UPDATE! Stairs are now open!
Jim Trask, VP of WSA and project manager
at the Sept 9th, 2006 dedication ceremony
Jim Trask and Carl Sindinger
(who started the ball rolling on the project about 4 years ago)
First divers to try out the steps - a special unit class of Rangers
from Fort Lewis Scuba led by Instructor Israel Ortiz
Tile artwork of critters found underwater at Les Davis created
by Roberta's Custom Graphics - photography by Mike Nebel
Swanson brothers creative touch in the concrete
pad near the top of the stairwell.
Type: Access Improvement & Marine Education
Description:
Access Improvement: Repair / replacement of concrete stairs leading to water. Current stairs are almost completely unusable and unsafe. Repair steps at this location with a new set of concrete stairs to create a safe entry point for divers wanting to get to the artificial reef located offshore.
Marine Education: Utilize the presence of divers and dive activity at the water's edge to capture the attention of passing citizens. Add interpretive signage at this popular park that explains Commencement Bay: the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: This is a project that has been in the works for several years. A JARPA has been prepared. Under review currently by Tacoma Metro Parks. Submission to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and WA Dept. of Ecology should take place within the next 30 days.
Contact: Jim Trask. (206) 498-5256. jetrask69@hotmail.com
Budget: $25,000
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Salt Water State Park
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Habitat Development & Marine Education
Description:
Habitat Development: A quarry rock rubble reef was designed and almost permitted at this site. Funding was provided by the legislature for construction. However, the project was never completed. Salt Water State Park is a very popular urban shore dive. Given the investment of time and money in the original project, we believe completion of the project should move forward as originally conceived. An alternative construction method might be to utilize reef balls.
Marine Education: This project provides another opportunity to utilize dive activity to capture the attention of non-diving citizens and create a firsthand connection between Puget Sound and the non-diver. Interpretive signage at this popular urban beach should explain the view west to the East Passage, which is the primary northbound Puget Sound traffic lane for commercial vessels transiting from Commencement Bay in Tacoma to Admiralty Inlet and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Signage should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: Significant work complete. Temporarily shelved.
Contact: Chris Regan. (360) 902-8632. chris.regan@parks.wa.gov
Budget: Approximately $300,000 ?
Back to the top.
Permanent Mooring Buoys
Dive Type: Boat dive
Project Type: Habitat Protection & Dive Safety
Description:
Several dive charter operators, mostly in central and south Puget Sound, have indicated a need for permanent mooring buoys on dive sites they visit regularly.
The objectives of permanent mooring buoys are:
South Sound Sites:
- Sunrise. 3 buoys. One of the top 2 dive sites in south Puget Sound. Renowned for octopus.
- Z's Reef. 3 buoys.
- Day Island. 2 buoys. Site loaded with wolf eels.
- West Wall. 1 buoy.
- KVI Towers. 1 buoy.
Hood Canal Sites:
- Pulali East Wall.3 buoys.
- Pulali South Wall. 3 buoys.
- Pulali West Wall. 3 buoys.
- The Pinnacle (aka Seamount). 2 buoys. This is the most popular dive site in central Hood Canal.
- Black Point. 1 buoy.
- Arrowhead (aka Wolf Eel Wall). 1 buoy.
- Flagpole. (aka The Knuckle). 1 buoy. This is in a marine protected area and special because of the cloud sponges found here.
- Elephant Wall. 1 buoy. This site is in a marine protected area.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Mike Racine. (425) 830-9545. mikera@centurytel.net
Rick Meyers. (253) 973-0370. banditocharters@yahoo.com
Don Coleman. (206) 714-1482. info@pacadventure.com
Michael Block. (253) 377-9194. tealwatercharters@hotmail.com
Budget: $1,500 per buoy. Estimate 36 buoys for a total of $54,000.
Back to the top.
Titlow Beach
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Habitat Mitigation & Marine Education
Description:
Habitat Mitigation: This is the second most popular shore dive in Tacoma. An old ferry dock and natural reef wall are great features accessible from the recently improved shore dive entry. While the creosote pilings associated with the ferry dock are slated for removal, there is abundant marine life on them. Using reef balls, we would like to replace the structure lost by removal of the pilings. We hope to transfer some of the sea life from the pilings to the reef balls.
Marine Education: Utilize the presence of divers and dive activity at the water's edge to capture the attention of passing citizens. Add interpretive signage at this popular park that explains the Tacoma Narrows: its marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: Conceptual. We have a source for reef balls.
Contact: Karlista Rickerson. (206) 463-2497. karlista@mindspring.com
Budget: $35,000
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Seacrest Park, Alki
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Marine Education & Access Improvement
Description:
Located on the way to Alki Beach, this Seattle dive spot is the most popular in the city. Numerous dive shops use it for training year round. Many recreational divers dive use it due to its close proximity to the city. Every day, and particularly on weekends, you are likely to see anywhere from a few to over a hundred divers at the 3 coves of Seacrest Park.
In addition to its popularity with divers, there is a boardwalk along the water that runs from the West Seattle Bridge all the way down around Duwamish Head nearly to Alki Point. It is used daily by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of non-divers for walking, biking, rollerblading, and running.
The fishing pier at Seacrest Park typically hosts dozens of fisherman daily.
Marine Education: This project provides perhaps the single best opportunity to create a firsthand connection between Puget Sound and the non-diver. The dive activity at Seacrest routinely engages the attention of passing citizens. They often stop to watch divers entering and exiting the water. They ask questions. Interpretive signage at this popular urban park explaining Elliott Bay and the mouth of the Duwamish River should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Access Improvement: The dive entry at Seacrest is fairly steep. It is composed of round rock in the 1 - 2" size. At low tides, it can be particularly difficult to negotiate the climb back up to the boardwalk. One or more sets of stairs, particularly in coves 2 and 3, could be helpful.
The priority here, however, is Marine Education.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Mike Racine. (425) 830-9545. mikera@centurytel.net
Budget: $5,000 signage only. $30,000 including stairs.
Back to the top.
Illahee Town Dock
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Habitat Mitigation & Marine Education
Description:
Illahee Town Dock is an urban shore dive located just north of Bremerton. The Port of Bremerton originally set this area up to draw divers. One of the first tire reefs in Washington was placed here about 50 - 75 yards straight out from the dock. It needs to be removed because tires have not proven to be good reefing material and they are coming apart.
Habitat Mitigation: The existing tire reef should be replaced with about 50 reef balls. Reef balls have been proven to be much better marine life habitat.
Marine Education: As with all urban shore dives, the opportunity exists to create a connection between non-divers and Puget Sound. Interpretive signage at this site should explain the view east across the channel to Bainbridge Island. Signage should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Geoff Pentz. (360) 434-1116. geoffp@scubazone.net
Budget: $35,000
Back to the top.
Deception Pass State Park (Rosario Beach State Park?)
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Habitat Development & Marine Education
Description:
Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline, and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. Rugged cliffs drop to meet the turbulent waters of Deception Pass. The park is outstanding for breath-taking views, old-growth forests and abundant wildlife. It is an existing part of the state's underwater park system.
Habitat Development: Opportunity for habitat creation using reef balls.
Marine Education: This project provides an opportunity to utilize dive activity to capture the attention of non-diving citizens and create a firsthand connection between Puget Sound and the non-diver. Interpretive signage at this shore dive should explain the view west to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and southwest to Admiralty Inlet, the entrance to Puget Sound. Signage should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Jim Ramaglia. (360) 293-2070. ramaglia@comcast.net
Budget: $35,000
Back to the top.
Alki Beach Park
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Marine Education & Handicap Access
Description:
Marine Education: A number of recreational divers and dive shops utilize Alki Beach. It's good for basic open water certification dives. The long beach provides plenty of room for divers. On really crowded days at Seacrest Park, Alki Beach makes a great, nearby alternate dive.
It is a particularly popular urban beach. It hosts a diverse group of users ranging from young families to retirees who use the beautiful beach, particularly when the weather is nice. A boardwalk along the water runs from the est Seattle Bridge all the way down around Duwamish Head nearly to Alki Point. It is here at Alki Beach that the very first European settlers in the Seattle area landed.
The beach and boardwalk are used daily by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of non-divers for a variety of recreation activities at the water's edge.
When there are large minus tides, much of the near shore marine habitat is exposed. Consequently, Alki Beach is highly popular at these times with children, schools, and people interested in actually seeing exposed marine habitat.
This project provides another great opportunity to create a firsthand connection between Puget Sound and the non-diver. Interpretive signage at this popular urban beach explaining the view north to Admiralty Inlet should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Handicap Access: Alki Beach presents an opportunity for providing access to handicapped divers. There exist a number of bulkhead access points with stairs that are close to the water. There is already ramp access from the street down to the walkway. Perhaps short ramps from the bulkhead down to the water level could be constructed to facilitate direct access to the water by divers with mobility impairments.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Mike Racine. (425) 830-9545. mikera@centurytel.net
Budget: $5,000 signage only. $30,000 including ramp.
Back to the top.
King County Marine Park (Maury Island Marine Park)
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Park Development
Description:
Maury Island Marine Park is located on the southeast side of Maury Island (which is connected to Vashon Island) on the site of an old gravel pit. This gravel operation may be the source of the high proportion of cobbles on the beach. The beach is more than a mile long, and a wooden dock is located at about the center of the beach.
The park was created with boat access in mind. Although there is a maintenance road to the beach, it is closed most of the time, which discourages vehicular traffic. Foot traffic is not discouraged. This beach is not highly used by divers, but it is a destination for some recreational boaters.
Access: Development of the maintenance road, a parking lot, and bathroom facilities would greatly enhance utilization of this public resource.
Habitat Development: Reef balls could be used to create habitat. A particularly good site would be directly off the end of the dock where loading operations used to take place.
Marine Education: As with all urban shore dives, the opportunity exists to create a connection between non-divers and Puget Sound. Interpretive signage at this park should explain the view east to the East Passage, which is the primary northbound Puget Sound traffic lane for commercial vessels transiting from Commencement Bay in Tacoma to Admiralty Inlet and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Signage should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Karlista Rickerson. (206) 463-2497. karlista@mindspring.com
Budget: TBD.
Back to the top.
Fort Casey State Park (Keystone Dive Area)
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Keystone Ferry Terminal Redevelopment
Description: Summer 2006 UPDATE!
Washington State Ferries recently completed the environmental scoping period for the Keystone Project. The 30-day official comment period began with a project scoping meeting held on March 29 in Coupeville. During this period, Washington State Ferries received over 60 comments, including a significant document from the Washington Scuba Alliance outlining the primary elements of the dive experience at Keystone. A number of suggestions were made in the submission. Some outlined how to mitigate the impact of moving the jetty, should that be the preferred alternative. Others spoke to ideas on how to preserve and enhance the dive experience at Keystone both above and below the water.
WSF is moving forward with an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process to help determine the best alternative for the Keystone end of the Keystone-Port Townsend route.
The Draft EIS is slated for release in early 2007. The draft will be available for public comment and WSF will hold a public meeting at this time.
Here is the homepage for the overall project:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/projects/keystoneharbor/
Fort Casey State Park is a 467-acre marine camping park with a lighthouse and sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A coast artillery post features two historic guns on display. The park features 10,810 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound (Admiralty Inlet), and includes Keystone Spit, a two-mile-plus stretch of land separating Admiralty Inlet and Crocket Lake. Known locally to divers as "Keystone", this is a popular dive site a short ferry ride from the Seattle area. It's a great weekend camping & diving getaway.
The ferry terminal at Keystone has a narrow entrance and is subject to significant cross-currents at the entrance. The Washington Dept. of Transportation needs to accommodate the retirement of the Steel Electric class vessels from the Keystone-Port Townsend run and replace them with standard vessels from the WSF fleet by June 2008. The state's preliminary plan is to either improve Keystone harbor or relocate the Keystone Ferry Terminal to a new location outside of its present location in Keystone Harbor.
The state may determine that expansion of the existing facility is the best alternative. In that case, the existing dive site along the Keystone jetty and shore dive between the old pilings and the jetty would be destroyed.
This project would involve providing input to the WA Dept. of Transportation regarding the need for new dive infrastructure as part of the overall ferry terminal redevelopment at the Keystone Terminal.
Status: Ongoing.
Contact: Jim Ramaglia. (360) 293-2070. ramaglia@comcast.net
Budget: TBD
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Sunrise Beach Access
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Access Improvement
Description:
Sunrise is a very popular dive site in south Puget Sound. Many octopus and wolf eels are found at this site. It is accessed primarily by boat divers. Shore diving is very possible from the beach. However, access to the beach is via a long steep path. Improvement of access to the beach area itself as well as parking would greatly enhance access to this popular dive site.
Walt Amidon indicates there is room for a parking area near the beach. Apparently there may be road access as well. Property owners in the immediate vicinity are sensitive to increased traffic however, and they should be included in any discussion regarding improved access.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Walt Amidon. Underwater Sports. Federal Way.
Budget: TBD
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Other projects:
- Les Davis Park
- Saltwater State Park
- Permanent Mooring Buoys
- Titlow Beach
- Seacrest Park, Alki
- Illahee Town Dock
- Deception Pass State Park
- Alki Beach Park
- King County Marine Park (Maury Island Marine Park)
- Fort Casey State Park (Keystone Dive Area)
- Sunrise Beach Access
Les Davis Park
Jim Trask, VP of WSA and project manager
at the Sept 9th, 2006 dedication ceremony
Jim Trask and Carl Sindinger
(who started the ball rolling on the project about 4 years ago)
First divers to try out the steps - a special unit class of Rangers
from Fort Lewis Scuba led by Instructor Israel Ortiz
Tile artwork of critters found underwater at Les Davis created
by Roberta's Custom Graphics - photography by Mike Nebel
Swanson brothers creative touch in the concrete
pad near the top of the stairwell.
- Swanson Brothers Concrete Company Inc. is the contractor doing the stairs.
Roberta's Custom Graphics & More is doing the photo tiles. - Budget on project is $15,466.00. $14,466.00 on the construction and $1,000.00 on the artwork.
- $14,466.00 is from the Department of Ecology
$1,000.00 is from Project Aware
$3,000.00 is from Washington Scuba Alliance to be used in the event of any cost over-runs.
Type: Access Improvement & Marine Education
Description:
Access Improvement: Repair / replacement of concrete stairs leading to water. Current stairs are almost completely unusable and unsafe. Repair steps at this location with a new set of concrete stairs to create a safe entry point for divers wanting to get to the artificial reef located offshore.
Marine Education: Utilize the presence of divers and dive activity at the water's edge to capture the attention of passing citizens. Add interpretive signage at this popular park that explains Commencement Bay: the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: This is a project that has been in the works for several years. A JARPA has been prepared. Under review currently by Tacoma Metro Parks. Submission to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and WA Dept. of Ecology should take place within the next 30 days.
Contact: Jim Trask. (206) 498-5256. jetrask69@hotmail.com
Budget: $25,000
Back to the top.
Salt Water State Park
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Habitat Development & Marine Education
Description:
Habitat Development: A quarry rock rubble reef was designed and almost permitted at this site. Funding was provided by the legislature for construction. However, the project was never completed. Salt Water State Park is a very popular urban shore dive. Given the investment of time and money in the original project, we believe completion of the project should move forward as originally conceived. An alternative construction method might be to utilize reef balls.
Marine Education: This project provides another opportunity to utilize dive activity to capture the attention of non-diving citizens and create a firsthand connection between Puget Sound and the non-diver. Interpretive signage at this popular urban beach should explain the view west to the East Passage, which is the primary northbound Puget Sound traffic lane for commercial vessels transiting from Commencement Bay in Tacoma to Admiralty Inlet and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Signage should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: Significant work complete. Temporarily shelved.
Contact: Chris Regan. (360) 902-8632. chris.regan@parks.wa.gov
Budget: Approximately $300,000 ?
Back to the top.
Permanent Mooring Buoys
Dive Type: Boat dive
Project Type: Habitat Protection & Dive Safety
Description:
Several dive charter operators, mostly in central and south Puget Sound, have indicated a need for permanent mooring buoys on dive sites they visit regularly.
The objectives of permanent mooring buoys are:
- Elimination of damage associated with anchoring on dive sites.
- Safe and accurate placement of divers onto the sites.
South Sound Sites:
- Sunrise. 3 buoys. One of the top 2 dive sites in south Puget Sound. Renowned for octopus.
- Z's Reef. 3 buoys.
- Day Island. 2 buoys. Site loaded with wolf eels.
- West Wall. 1 buoy.
- KVI Towers. 1 buoy.
Hood Canal Sites:
- Pulali East Wall.3 buoys.
- Pulali South Wall. 3 buoys.
- Pulali West Wall. 3 buoys.
- The Pinnacle (aka Seamount). 2 buoys. This is the most popular dive site in central Hood Canal.
- Black Point. 1 buoy.
- Arrowhead (aka Wolf Eel Wall). 1 buoy.
- Flagpole. (aka The Knuckle). 1 buoy. This is in a marine protected area and special because of the cloud sponges found here.
- Elephant Wall. 1 buoy. This site is in a marine protected area.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Mike Racine. (425) 830-9545. mikera@centurytel.net
Rick Meyers. (253) 973-0370. banditocharters@yahoo.com
Don Coleman. (206) 714-1482. info@pacadventure.com
Michael Block. (253) 377-9194. tealwatercharters@hotmail.com
Budget: $1,500 per buoy. Estimate 36 buoys for a total of $54,000.
Back to the top.
Titlow Beach
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Habitat Mitigation & Marine Education
Description:
Habitat Mitigation: This is the second most popular shore dive in Tacoma. An old ferry dock and natural reef wall are great features accessible from the recently improved shore dive entry. While the creosote pilings associated with the ferry dock are slated for removal, there is abundant marine life on them. Using reef balls, we would like to replace the structure lost by removal of the pilings. We hope to transfer some of the sea life from the pilings to the reef balls.
Marine Education: Utilize the presence of divers and dive activity at the water's edge to capture the attention of passing citizens. Add interpretive signage at this popular park that explains the Tacoma Narrows: its marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: Conceptual. We have a source for reef balls.
Contact: Karlista Rickerson. (206) 463-2497. karlista@mindspring.com
Budget: $35,000
Back to the top.
Seacrest Park, Alki
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Marine Education & Access Improvement
Description:
Located on the way to Alki Beach, this Seattle dive spot is the most popular in the city. Numerous dive shops use it for training year round. Many recreational divers dive use it due to its close proximity to the city. Every day, and particularly on weekends, you are likely to see anywhere from a few to over a hundred divers at the 3 coves of Seacrest Park.
In addition to its popularity with divers, there is a boardwalk along the water that runs from the West Seattle Bridge all the way down around Duwamish Head nearly to Alki Point. It is used daily by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of non-divers for walking, biking, rollerblading, and running.
The fishing pier at Seacrest Park typically hosts dozens of fisherman daily.
Marine Education: This project provides perhaps the single best opportunity to create a firsthand connection between Puget Sound and the non-diver. The dive activity at Seacrest routinely engages the attention of passing citizens. They often stop to watch divers entering and exiting the water. They ask questions. Interpretive signage at this popular urban park explaining Elliott Bay and the mouth of the Duwamish River should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Access Improvement: The dive entry at Seacrest is fairly steep. It is composed of round rock in the 1 - 2" size. At low tides, it can be particularly difficult to negotiate the climb back up to the boardwalk. One or more sets of stairs, particularly in coves 2 and 3, could be helpful.
The priority here, however, is Marine Education.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Mike Racine. (425) 830-9545. mikera@centurytel.net
Budget: $5,000 signage only. $30,000 including stairs.
Back to the top.
Illahee Town Dock
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Habitat Mitigation & Marine Education
Description:
Illahee Town Dock is an urban shore dive located just north of Bremerton. The Port of Bremerton originally set this area up to draw divers. One of the first tire reefs in Washington was placed here about 50 - 75 yards straight out from the dock. It needs to be removed because tires have not proven to be good reefing material and they are coming apart.
Habitat Mitigation: The existing tire reef should be replaced with about 50 reef balls. Reef balls have been proven to be much better marine life habitat.
Marine Education: As with all urban shore dives, the opportunity exists to create a connection between non-divers and Puget Sound. Interpretive signage at this site should explain the view east across the channel to Bainbridge Island. Signage should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Geoff Pentz. (360) 434-1116. geoffp@scubazone.net
Budget: $35,000
Back to the top.
Deception Pass State Park (Rosario Beach State Park?)
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Habitat Development & Marine Education
Description:
Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline, and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. Rugged cliffs drop to meet the turbulent waters of Deception Pass. The park is outstanding for breath-taking views, old-growth forests and abundant wildlife. It is an existing part of the state's underwater park system.
Habitat Development: Opportunity for habitat creation using reef balls.
Marine Education: This project provides an opportunity to utilize dive activity to capture the attention of non-diving citizens and create a firsthand connection between Puget Sound and the non-diver. Interpretive signage at this shore dive should explain the view west to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and southwest to Admiralty Inlet, the entrance to Puget Sound. Signage should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Jim Ramaglia. (360) 293-2070. ramaglia@comcast.net
Budget: $35,000
Back to the top.
Alki Beach Park
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Marine Education & Handicap Access
Description:
Marine Education: A number of recreational divers and dive shops utilize Alki Beach. It's good for basic open water certification dives. The long beach provides plenty of room for divers. On really crowded days at Seacrest Park, Alki Beach makes a great, nearby alternate dive.
It is a particularly popular urban beach. It hosts a diverse group of users ranging from young families to retirees who use the beautiful beach, particularly when the weather is nice. A boardwalk along the water runs from the est Seattle Bridge all the way down around Duwamish Head nearly to Alki Point. It is here at Alki Beach that the very first European settlers in the Seattle area landed.
The beach and boardwalk are used daily by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of non-divers for a variety of recreation activities at the water's edge.
When there are large minus tides, much of the near shore marine habitat is exposed. Consequently, Alki Beach is highly popular at these times with children, schools, and people interested in actually seeing exposed marine habitat.
This project provides another great opportunity to create a firsthand connection between Puget Sound and the non-diver. Interpretive signage at this popular urban beach explaining the view north to Admiralty Inlet should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Handicap Access: Alki Beach presents an opportunity for providing access to handicapped divers. There exist a number of bulkhead access points with stairs that are close to the water. There is already ramp access from the street down to the walkway. Perhaps short ramps from the bulkhead down to the water level could be constructed to facilitate direct access to the water by divers with mobility impairments.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Mike Racine. (425) 830-9545. mikera@centurytel.net
Budget: $5,000 signage only. $30,000 including ramp.
Back to the top.
King County Marine Park (Maury Island Marine Park)
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Park Development
Description:
Maury Island Marine Park is located on the southeast side of Maury Island (which is connected to Vashon Island) on the site of an old gravel pit. This gravel operation may be the source of the high proportion of cobbles on the beach. The beach is more than a mile long, and a wooden dock is located at about the center of the beach.
The park was created with boat access in mind. Although there is a maintenance road to the beach, it is closed most of the time, which discourages vehicular traffic. Foot traffic is not discouraged. This beach is not highly used by divers, but it is a destination for some recreational boaters.
Access: Development of the maintenance road, a parking lot, and bathroom facilities would greatly enhance utilization of this public resource.
Habitat Development: Reef balls could be used to create habitat. A particularly good site would be directly off the end of the dock where loading operations used to take place.
Marine Education: As with all urban shore dives, the opportunity exists to create a connection between non-divers and Puget Sound. Interpretive signage at this park should explain the view east to the East Passage, which is the primary northbound Puget Sound traffic lane for commercial vessels transiting from Commencement Bay in Tacoma to Admiralty Inlet and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Signage should highlight the marine life, the habitat, uses of the resource, current issues, and possible solutions to the careful management and stewardship of Puget Sound.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Karlista Rickerson. (206) 463-2497. karlista@mindspring.com
Budget: TBD.
Back to the top.
Fort Casey State Park (Keystone Dive Area)
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Keystone Ferry Terminal Redevelopment
Description: Summer 2006 UPDATE!
Washington State Ferries recently completed the environmental scoping period for the Keystone Project. The 30-day official comment period began with a project scoping meeting held on March 29 in Coupeville. During this period, Washington State Ferries received over 60 comments, including a significant document from the Washington Scuba Alliance outlining the primary elements of the dive experience at Keystone. A number of suggestions were made in the submission. Some outlined how to mitigate the impact of moving the jetty, should that be the preferred alternative. Others spoke to ideas on how to preserve and enhance the dive experience at Keystone both above and below the water.
WSF is moving forward with an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process to help determine the best alternative for the Keystone end of the Keystone-Port Townsend route.
The Draft EIS is slated for release in early 2007. The draft will be available for public comment and WSF will hold a public meeting at this time.
Here is the homepage for the overall project:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/projects/keystoneharbor/
Fort Casey State Park is a 467-acre marine camping park with a lighthouse and sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A coast artillery post features two historic guns on display. The park features 10,810 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound (Admiralty Inlet), and includes Keystone Spit, a two-mile-plus stretch of land separating Admiralty Inlet and Crocket Lake. Known locally to divers as "Keystone", this is a popular dive site a short ferry ride from the Seattle area. It's a great weekend camping & diving getaway.
The ferry terminal at Keystone has a narrow entrance and is subject to significant cross-currents at the entrance. The Washington Dept. of Transportation needs to accommodate the retirement of the Steel Electric class vessels from the Keystone-Port Townsend run and replace them with standard vessels from the WSF fleet by June 2008. The state's preliminary plan is to either improve Keystone harbor or relocate the Keystone Ferry Terminal to a new location outside of its present location in Keystone Harbor.
The state may determine that expansion of the existing facility is the best alternative. In that case, the existing dive site along the Keystone jetty and shore dive between the old pilings and the jetty would be destroyed.
This project would involve providing input to the WA Dept. of Transportation regarding the need for new dive infrastructure as part of the overall ferry terminal redevelopment at the Keystone Terminal.
Status: Ongoing.
Contact: Jim Ramaglia. (360) 293-2070. ramaglia@comcast.net
Budget: TBD
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Sunrise Beach Access
Dive Type: Shore Dive
Project Type: Access Improvement
Description:
Sunrise is a very popular dive site in south Puget Sound. Many octopus and wolf eels are found at this site. It is accessed primarily by boat divers. Shore diving is very possible from the beach. However, access to the beach is via a long steep path. Improvement of access to the beach area itself as well as parking would greatly enhance access to this popular dive site.
Walt Amidon indicates there is room for a parking area near the beach. Apparently there may be road access as well. Property owners in the immediate vicinity are sensitive to increased traffic however, and they should be included in any discussion regarding improved access.
Status: Conceptual.
Contact: Walt Amidon. Underwater Sports. Federal Way.
Budget: TBD
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