RBAW Monthly Newsletter

- March 2026 -

Support RBAW Marine Parks Conservancy

Donations to the RBAW Marine Parks Conservancy are Needed Now!

Have you been to Sucia Island Marine State Park? RBAW’s predecessor group of Yacht Clubs bought Sucia Island back in the 1950’s and gave the island to Washington State Parks for the enjoyment of future generations of recreational boaters.

And the mission of the RBAW Marine Parks Conservancy is to build upon this Sucia legacy and develop more Marine Parks for boaters in the Salish Sea.

Following this mission, the Conservancy bought Lakebay Marina in 2021 on the Key Peninsula in south Puget Sound in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources.

But before the park can welcome boaters, it needs cleanup and updating to prepare it for safe use by boaters. And this is where your donations are critical. The Conservancy is organized as a 501c3 which means that donations to the Conservancy may be tax deductible.

Please consider donating to the Conservancy to be part of preserving boating opportunities in the Salish Sea in the future. Any amount is helpful.

You can donate online at the link below, or you can mail a check to:

RBAW Marine Parks Conservancy

PO Box 17591

Seattle, WA 98127

In addition, please consider your personal legacy by naming the RBAW Marine Parks Conservancy in your will to help develop Lakebay and other Marine Parks for boaters in the future.

Donate Today!

RBAW Advocacy at Work in the 2026 Legislative Session

The 2026 legislative session delivered several important wins for recreational boating.

HB 2199, legislation aimed at improving Washington’s ability to address derelict and abandoned vessels, was passed by the Legislature and signed into law. The new law strengthens tools available to agencies working to protect our waterways, shorelines, and boating infrastructure.

Importantly, the proposed $5 million sweep of the Derelict Vessel Removal Account was not included in the final state budget, preserving critical funding for one of Washington’s most effective environmental and navigational safety programs.

With advocacy from RBAW and its partners, $250,000 in state funding was allocated for Lake Union Water Safety (“Mind the Zone”), expanding outreach and education that promote responsible boating and reduce conflicts on the water.

These outcomes reflect steady advocacy throughout the session by RBAW members, coalition partners, and key legislative champions. A special thank you goes to Trevor Justin, RBAW’s contract lobbyist, whose work on the ground in Olympia was instrumental in helping advance these priorities.

Welcome RBAW's Newest Silver Contributing Member!

The Anacortes Chamber of Commerce’s Marine Trades Committee is made up of approximately 70 marine industry businesses based in or actively serving Anacortes. These businesses represent a broad cross-section of the maritime economy, including vessel sales and brokerage, boat repair and maintenance, boater education and safety training, and marine services and supply providers. Together, they support one of the most dynamic boating hubs in the Pacific Northwest.

Learn more here!

Mooring Buoy Anchor Replacement Project

Great news from WA State Parks - their San Juan Islands buoy maintenance project is complete, just in time for spring/summer boating!

From WA State Parks:

Our anchor replacement project in the San Juan Islands is done. This means 112 of our mooring buoys in the San Juan Islands are operational, including 70 with new anchors.

Anchors were replaced at:

Spencer Spit
James, Jones, Matia and Patos islands
Prevost and Reid harbors on Stuart Island
Fossil, Fox, Echo, Ewing, Shallow and Snoring on Sucia Island

Washington State Parks maintains 259 public recreational mooring buoys at 40+ parks throughout Puget Sound, Salish Sea, Hood Canal, Kitsap and Olympic Peninsula. We anticipate replacing anchors on Blake Island and South Sound marine parks this summer.

We’ve also got tips to help you set sail for success:

Buy your annual moorage permit.
Save yourself a trip to shore to pay fees. Use our call-in registration system.
Please use the brand-new anchors.
For the protection of fragile aquatic environments, please do not anchor in eel grass.

They appreciate boaters’ patience as anchor replacement occurred.

Urgent: Blake Island Feedback Needed Now

Have you shared your opinion on Blake Island yet?

You may remember last fall when we shared there was a presentation scheduled at the Ballard Library regarding the master planning and future development of Blake Island Marine Park. Recently another public outreach meeting was conducted in Port Orchard.

They are still looking for community input and have several alternatives to explore. Be sure your voice is heard. They have both an Alternatives Survey as well as their online public comment form which is open through April 30th.

If you'd like to hear their presentation, here is a video recording of the presentation.

They are very interested in your voice, so don't miss your chance. Let your voice be heard!

Columbia & Snake River Dam Ruling Raises Questions for Boaters

Federal Court Ruling on Columbia and Snake River Dams

A U.S. District Court judge in Oregon recently issued a preliminary injunction increasing spill requirements and lowering reservoir operating levels at eight dams on the lower Columbia and Snake Rivers in order to protect salmon runs. The ruling directs dam operators to send more water over spillways, potentially affecting turbine operations.

It is still unclear what the immediate impacts may be for recreational boaters - however, the broader legal discussions surrounding these dams include proposals that could significantly alter—or potentially remove—parts of the current river system. For boaters, the dams create the navigable reservoirs that make large portions of these rivers accessible for cruising, fishing, and recreation. Significant operational changes or dam removal would fundamentally reshape these waterways and affect boating access and navigation throughout the region.

This issue sits within a broader conversation involving environmental restoration, energy production, transportation, and agriculture. Many state and federal elected officials have expressed concerns about the ruling and are reviewing its potential impacts. RBAW will continue to monitor developments and advocate for recreational boating access as discussions move forward.

WDFW Modernizes Hunter & Angler Licenses

Anglers throughout the state have been long awaiting this announcement to bring fishing licenses digital. This makes receiving and retaining fishing licenses easier and more accessible for all.

Learn more about these new mobile licenses and how to obtain them from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife below.

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Duwamish Waterway Bridge Deviation

From our Friends at the Washington State Department of Transportation:

Current Proposed Deviation Schedule:

From April 1st, 2026, to June 30^th, 2026
Weekdays between 6pm and 6am
All hours of operation of the weekend
Will be impacted for about 10 to 20 nights
2 potential weekend impacts

During this period, the bridge will be undergoing repairs during nighttime hours and some weekends. As such, the bridge will be slower to open. Mariners can expect to be required to provide of prior notifications to the bridge tender about your scheduled arrival during the deviation hours, 24 hours and 2 hours in advance. The draw bridge opening will be impacted for a limited period. If your vessels don’t require this bridge to open, then you will not be affected by this change. We will be doing our best to communicate our schedule to all mariners once it’s available.

1^st Ave South Bridge Tender Information: 206-764-4160 or VHF CH. #13

We are looking to see if there are any major concerns before we move forward. If you have any feedback, please reach out to Garrett Hutton.

Email Garrett Hutton

Be Whale Wise

Stay a Safe Distance from Whales

Know the new 2026 rules and guidelines to follow in regards to your proximity to the whales while you are cruising. Educate yourself with the links below.