This post was originally sent as an email to our listserv. To sign up for future updates, add your name at the bottom of this page.

WOW! In one week, over 300 people have signed our Demand Letter to Kitsap Transit!

The recreational pier built by the community is NOT available for the taking, nor are we willing to sacrifice the beautiful, vibrant shoreline/estuary because Kitsap Transit (KT) thinks it will serve their purpose.

Our voices are being heard by KT and by our elected officials.  Yesterday KT canceled their September 21st Board of Commissioners meeting.  The letters you have sent in and phones messages left for the KT Board have overwhelmed the staff.  They know our letter is on its way. 

There are three upcoming meetings; consider attending as many of these meetings as you can.  

• You can listen.

• You can voice your opinion.

• Your presence will make a statement.

Meeting #1:

The Demand Letter will remain on our website to continue collecting signatures until the next KT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING, now scheduled for October 5th. (No RSVP link yet.)

We need you to SHARE the link to our demand letter with friends and family.

We have connected with a few members of the various recreational communities: Bremerton Sportsman’s Club, Sound Dive Center, and Kitsap Poggie Club. Do you know of other people and/or groups that share our love of the Pier? Let us know and forward this email/information onto them.  

Meeting #2:

Kitsap Transit has added a new meeting of interest to the calendar. HARPER COMMUNITY MEETING is set for Wednesday, October 13th, from 7 – 8 pm, at Harper Church (10384 SE Sedgwick Rd, Port Orchard).

KT states the purpose of the meeting is to “share information about the possibility of using Harper Pier as a tie-up to support Southworth Fast Ferry service.”  

This is an in-person meeting called during COVID! Harper Church asks that attendees wear masks. All other KT public meetings are being held on ZOOM.  This actually limits access to the meeting for 1) those at higher risk of COVID exposure and 2) pier users outside the immediate area. We have asked for a ZOOM option; no answer yet.

Click here to RSVP on KT’s website.  If you want a ZOOM meeting, please mention that in the RSVP form. The form uses cookies, so once submitted, you are not allowed to submit another form from the same device or make changes.  If you have additional thoughts, call Jill Boltz at Kitsap Transit (360-478-6230), and leave a message.

Meeting #3:

And another opportunity to ask questions: 3RD QUARTER COMMUNITY MEETINGS are scheduled on Saturday, October 2nd.

Three Zoom sessions offered; register for the session you want to attend 9 am, 11 am, and 1 pm. KT Executive Director John Clauson will review future Capital Projects and will open the floor for questions and answers.

Kitsap Transit says our response is “overblown, premature”, but we are organizing to protect the area and assets that our community has developed and values. 

In 2004-2005, when the old ferry dock was to be revitalized into a fishing pier, Kitsap Transit attempted to acquire the dock and surrounding private properties to establish ferry service. The community said, “NO!” and went to work to transform a dilapidated ferry dock into the recreational pier we love today.

KT has had eyes on the location as an access point for their ferry operations for a long time. We will not let our resolve wane.  

This week we have learned that the SCUBA community is interested in identifying Harper Pier as a SCUBA Park, but the prospect of KT’s plans for ferries at the Pier has deterred further investigation of this designation.  KT has already impacted the recreational options around the Pier.  What other opportunities are being deterred? 

Your active support is needed and appreciated. 

In the Media

• Only in Your State: Harper Pier recognized as one of seven underrated, exceptionally charming piers in Washington 

• Kitsap Daily News, 9/13/21: Users protest the prospect of parking fast ferry at Harper Pier