HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/09/16 - Lake Management District No. 1 Island LakeNEWS RELEASE
September 16, 2025
MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE
411 N 5TH ST, BLDG 1, SHELTON, WA 98584
TO: KMAS, KRXY, SHELTON-MASON COUNTY JOURNAL, THE OLYMPIAN,
SHELTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, NORTH MASON CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE, CITY OF SHELTON, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL, THE SUN
RE: Mason County and Island Lake Community Approve New Lake Management
District
The Island Lake community celebrated an important milestone this September as the Mason County
Board of Commissioners signed an ordinance creating Lake Management District No. 1 for Island
Lake. The decision follows months of planning and a strong show of support from local property
owners.
The vote results told a clear story: of the 118 eligible ballots distributed, 71 were returned. Among
those, 64 supported forming the district while only 7 opposed it. With nearly 90 percent approval,
the outcome reflected a strong consensus to safeguard the health and long-term vitality of Island
Lake.
For residents, the lake is more than a scenic backdrop — it is the heart of their neighborhood.
Families fish along its shores, children swim in summer, and generations gather to watch sunsets.
But with popularity also come challenges. Over time, concerns have grown about water quality,
invasive species, and shoreline care.
The new Lake Management District, established for 15 years, gives the community a structured
way to respond. Funded through annual rates collected with property taxes, the district will support
projects such as weed control, fish habitat protection, and water -quality monitoring. A citizen
advisory committee will keep residents' voices central to decisions.
By casting their votes, property owners chose to invest in something bigger than themselves — the
shared environment that binds their community. Many see the district as a way to ensure the lake
they love today will still be thriving for children and grandchildren tomorrow.
The Board of Commissioners affirmed that choice when they adopted the ordinance on September
16. Over the coming months, the district will move from concept to action, starting with the citizen
committee and annual work plans.
The district's success will be seen not only in reports but also in lived experiences: clearer waters,
healthier fish populations, and the peace of knowing the lake is cared for. For Island Lake residents,
the ordinance is more than a legal step — it is a collective promise to protect a resource that enriches
their lives. With the ink now dry, the lake's future looks brighter, built on unity, responsibility, and
hope.
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMIS
Sharon Trask,
Chair
Pat Tarzwell,
Vice -Chair
Rand Neat `I n,
Co issioner