Frequently Asked Questions

  • We initially explored farming shellfish as well but after further analysis and conversations with neighbours, we have decided not to given the noise and infrastructure/equipment involved.

    The noise involved with farming shellfish (more boat traffic, tumbling oysters,….) could disrupt the tranquility of Fern Cove (and the Colvos Passage generally).

    Farming shellfish would also likely require a permanent moored structure to process the shellfish out by the farm and we don’t want that visual pollution.

  • Beginning Operations: Vashon Kelp Forest Set-up

    Initially, for a period of 1 - 2 weeks, we will have divers from a small boat install anchors around the perimeter of the farm and attach the lines. This will be quiet and not involve any machinery.

    Once Operational

    Once we are operational, our team will take a small skiff from Quartermaster Marina to the site 2 - 4 days/week to the site. We don’t expect this traffic will be notable given the normal traffic of boats that come up the Colvos Passage. There is no other machinery or equipment noise outside of the boat engine.

    The kelp will be “planted” once (or perhaps in future years, twice) a year and harvested 1 - 2 times per year (depending on the species and success we have). The harvesting will involve work for a week and again, will be cutting using a machete-like tool (no machinery or significant noise).

    After harvest, the boat will be loaded with the wet kelp and then we will take the crop from the site to Quartermaster Marina, Southworth or Bremerton.

    It looks increasingly likely that research projects will happen at the site. That research will also involve scientists coming to/from the site but there won’t be any machinery/equipment for these visits - mostly checking salinity, temperature, water quality sensors and then cutting off pieces of kelp for samples (to see if there are fish eggs,…).

    No motor boats will be anchored at the site or in fern cove.

  • No. We are not going to do anything on-shore near the Kelp Forest. There will be no boats anchored/docked nor any traffic along the beach.

  • Proposed Site Coordinates:

    NE corner: 47.486444 N, 122.485361 W

    NW corner:47.487222 N, 122.486694 W

    SE corner: 47.484361 N, 122.488056 W

    SW corner: 47.485111 N, 122.489361 W

  • A large number of State and federal agencies will need to review and approve this project prior to King County approving a shoreline permit and the WA State Department of Natural Resources allowing Vashon Kelp Forest to lease this area of Colvos Passage.

    Gov’t agencies involved in the process include - WA State Dept of Ecology, WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife, US Coast Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers, King County, WA State Department of Natural Resources, and the EPA.

  • We truly want the Vashon Kelp Forest to be a community asset.

    We have had good discussions with Vashon Nature Center about potential community science monitoring opportunities. We also have spoken with Vashon - Maury Island Land Trust about ways that we might partner in the future. If there are other Vashon groups/schools/businesses interested to partner, we would be happy to speak with them.

  • We worked with Apex Visualization to create views from both Fern Cove and from a house on Burma Road. Visit our “Visuals” page to see current renderings of the area.

  • The proposed perimeter of the Vashon Kelp Forest project is 10 acres. To give that figure some perspective, the area between Fern Cove to the north end of the Island is approximately 1,500 acres, which puts the VKF project area at considerably less than 1% of the overall area. Visit our “Visuals” page for a map and other current renderings.