Notes From a Newshound: Separating Green Burial Fear From Fact on Marrowstone Island
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Editor Nhatt Nichols and official newshound, Quin [/caption]
News Commentary By Nhatt Nichols
I don’t know about you, but my nervous system is on high alert these days, and it doesn’t take a lot for me to go into a full-on death spiral over policy changes in the national (and, let’s face it, international) news. Those feelings can easily carry over into local news, creating a short-fuse over any perceived conflict. This week alone, I’ve received text messages from an AirBnB-funded campaign group that wants to prevent short-term rental regulations, and a postcard from an anti-rent cap group (more about that in this week’s newsletter).
One of my goals as editor of the Beacon is to try and approach every topic with curiosity, kindness, and compassion while still reporting factual information. It’s easy to have a gut reaction about something you feel strongly about, but it’s my job to bear in mind that conflict in Jefferson County often comes from a place of genuine concern. In my experience, it’s worthwhile taking the time to consider where the kernel of truth is in every disagreement.
Over the past few months, we’ve received several letters to the editor about the proposed green burial site on Marrowstone. Reporter Angela Downs went to a Marrowstone Island Community Association meeting in January and wrote a solid article about her findings.
When I received the following letter to the editor, I realized that there is still a huge gap between residents' concerns and the currently known facts surrounding this project. Though there is still a lot to learn from the forthcoming ecological studies, it felt worthwhile to ask the Jefferson Land Trust to explain where their project currently is in the clearest possible terms, hoping to separate the knowns from the unknowns, the facts from the fears.
Below is the original letter to the editor and Jefferson Land Trust’s reply. If you still have questions, each party provided an opportunity to connect and gather more information. We’ll be continuing to follow the story as the impact studies come back.
If there’s a topic that you would like added clarity on, feel free to contact the Beacon. We’ll put our best noses on the case.
-Nhatt Nichols, Editor
To the Editor:
The Jefferson Land Trust has applied for a conditional use permit to develop the former Isle of Marrowstone Country Club site as a for-profit “green cemetery.”
JLT’s vague plan is to bury at least 1,090 unembalmed corpses without coffins under less than 18 inches of soil and to build a caretaker’s home, outbuildings, a chapel-like meeting house, a large covered picnic area, and a small parking lot. The group dismisses any environmental or community impact, saying it needs to make money from the site to support itself.
Concerns raised by dozens of island residents include:
– The site has a high water table and straddles a two-mile stream that drains the center of the island into Mystery Bay. The complex ecosystem includes at least 22 acres of federally-designated wetlands, three of them on the golf course site itself.
– A green cemetery industry group warns that waterlogged or impervious soils such as the island’s glacial till prevent absorption of “decomposition byproducts.” That means raw runoff from graves could taint surface water.
– Water from the site crosses dozens of downstream residential properties, some of which rely on household wells, before entering the bay in Mystery Bay State Park, where pollutants could damage commercial and recreational shellfish habitat.
– Longtime residents recall seeing salmon in the stream in the past. It was identified as potentially salmon-bearing in 1995, but later downgraded because of an obstacle – likely a Highway 116 culvert that could be replaced to allow fish passage.
– Schwartz Road, a dead-end narrow lane, is the only access to the site. Increased traffic and parking for large funerals could block emergency vehicles and trap many elderly residents in their homes.
Islanders are not against the concept or practice of green burial. We just believe it needs to be done in an environmentally appropriate place where it will not damage an established community and fragile ecosystem.
Join us to hear more at 6:30 p.m. on March 18 at the Nordland Garden Club, 230 Garden Club Road, Nordland. This MICA-sponsored meeting is open to the general public.
James G. Wright
Jefferson County
Jefferson Land Trust responds:
Jefferson Land Trust has applied for a conditional use permit to create a “conservation burial” ground on privately owned land on Schwartz Road. The conservation burial ground would be managed by a wholly owned subsidiary of Jefferson Land Trust: Olympic Wildland Burial Grounds LLC (OWBG). Though OWBG will charge for burial to cover the operating costs of the cemetery and the cost of restoring the land, it is not a “for-profit” enterprise.
OWBG’s vision for conservation burial is here. Information about the proposed conservation burial site on Marrowstone Island is here, and details/FAQs about conservation burial are here. OWBG will follow the best practices for burial recommended by the Conservation Burial Alliance and the Green Burial Council (which include a burial depth of 3.5 feet), and estimates the site will see up to 20 burials per year, meaning it would take more than 150 years for the site to reach capacity.
The site has a 2.5-acre building envelope on its northeast/Schwartz Rd corner. If approved, near term plans would include the construction of a small parking lot and sheds for tool storage on this site. In the future, if needed, OWBG may apply for a permit for the construction of a pavilion and caretaker’s cabin.
OWBG is currently in its due diligence/discovery process to assess the site’s suitability for conservation burial. All environmental and community impact questions from the community are welcome and carefully considered.
OWBG has commissioned an independent wildlife habitat study and is in the process of commissioning an independent hydrogeological study. As a conservation-focused nonprofit, the preservation of water quality is always a top priority.
Large funerals will not be allowed at the site. OWBG is committed to working with neighboring residents to ensure that the amount of traffic to the site is minimized, and that suitable off-road parking is provided, ensuring full access to neighboring homes for emergency vehicles and resident ingress/egress.
Finally, beyond meeting a community need for natural burial options, the goal of this project is to create optimal wildlife habitat through restoration and to preserve community access to the site for quiet recreation (access is currently only available due to the generosity of the private landowner and not guaranteed once the site is sold to a different private owner).
We appreciate there are legitimate questions about the site’s suitability for conservation burial. We are working hard to assess and address them during our due diligence/discovery period through objective study and transparent community engagement. Project manager Erik Kingfisher made a presentation to the community at MICA in January and is leading small group tours of the site to answer islander’s questions in April and May. We continue to welcome your questions and feedback.
To join a tour of the site, or to connect with project manager Erik Kingfisher, please contact ekingfisher@saveland.org.
