I am writing as Chair of the county Clean Water Advisory Committee (CWAC) in response to misinformation on social media purporting Conservation Land Bank (CLB) “plans” to remove the dam creating Zylstra Lake. In summary, CWAC has taken no vote recommending Zylstra Lake dam removal. Moreover, CWAC is not aware of CLB plans to remove the Zylstra Lake dam which has been repaired and upgraded since they took ownership of the Zylstra Lake Preserve from the San Juan Preservation Trust in 2017. The lower dam and its head work on False Bay Creek are deteriorating, requiring more study to decide its future utility. On several occasions, including Oct. 20, 2022, CWAC heard presentations and discussed surface water issues affected by Zylstra Lake including temperature, nutrients, toxic algal blooms, fish habitat and instream flow in False Bay Creek. We stay committed to seeking practical solutions to improve and conserve the water resources of San Juan County. CWAC’s work is done in the public eye with many opportunities for public comment. You are invited to view our agendas and minutes at https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1426/Clean-Water-Advisory-Committee. Additional credible information from Environmental Stewardship and CLB can be found at https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1756 and Lincoln Borman’s interview at https://cnl2.com/land-bank-denies-existence-of-a-plan-to-breech-dams-under-zylstra-lake.

CWAC was created by the county Clean Water Utility primarily to advise the departments of Health & Social Services and Environmental Stewardship on wide ranging issues and policies affecting the groundwater and surface water resources of San Juan County.

Kimbal Sundberg

Chair, Clean Water Advisory Committee

San Juan Island