Traffic would harm Puget Sound

I was appalled at the prospect of oil-tanker traffic in Puget Sound increasing sevenfold, from five ships per month up to 34 a month [“State waters might see more traffic in oil tankers,” News, Jan. 27].

The route they would take is through the San Juan and Gulf islands. It is bad enough that Canada is exploiting its tar sands at the expense of its environment, but that we will have to bear the traffic through one of our most cherished natural jewels is beyond comprehensible. The existing tanker traffic is bad enough in its potential for disaster and its existing ill effects on beach erosion.

I kayak on the east side of the San Juans and my favorite island is already experiencing the ill effects of tanker waves on the beach, making it more difficult to haul gear above the tide line (redistribution of the gravel and sand, increased steepness, higher tide lines). The noise level is also a huge negative factor for marine life such as our struggling Orcas.

Have citizens no leverage against the power of profits and short-term benefits as the last drop of oil is squeezed from the earth?

--Sharon Stroble, Seattle