Reader wonders about the impact the shoreline rules will have

It appears to me that there has been no consideration given to the economic impact on the area's small businesses as a result of the Department of Ecology's proposed change in the shoreline rules. My small business alone used to employ two workers and myself. Now I work with one part-time employee. I am only one of many affected by these unfair rules.

Under the pretext of "best science," these rules clearly hinder development and infringe on homeowners' rights and abilities to spend monies to improve property and enjoy the use of the shoreline. Many local residents have invested in their homes on the lake, and many citizens from the larger metropolitan areas relocate to Moses Lake to retire and enjoy a lakefront home. If they wanted to share a dock or use a community dock, they could have stayed where they were. Why would anybody buy lakefront property if they can't use the shoreline?

There is a government department that works under the guise of "best science" called the Department of Ecology, but where are these unilateral decision makers? Will any of them be present at any meetings held concerning these rules? Are they afraid to meet with citizens, knowing they will be challenged and that they have no reasonable explanations for the policies they make? Do they have any actual scientific evidence to prove that a 10-by-20-foot dock or dock area will adversely affect a body of water?

There have been other municipalities that have voted against the Department of Ecology's proposed changes, only to have the DOE come in and say "You will follow these new guidelines." Isn't the purpose of public meetings for government officials to listen to the concerns of the citizens in order to work toward a fair and reasonable solution to issues that stand to take away our rights as tax-paying property owners?

I would encourage the planning commissions of Moses Lake and Grant County to tell the City Council and County Commissioners to just say "no" to these intrusive rules that adversely affect the economic growth of our community, rules that only the Department of Ecology sees as necessary.

John Hermann

Moses Lake