Defining Indian Island’s boundaries for mission, public safety

Posted

After a group of curious kayakers paddled uncomfortably close to Naval Magazine Indian Island last month and prompted a response from base police, I wanted to take a moment to remind our neighbors which parts of the island are open to the public.

A couple of recent, unclear media reports have inadvertently indicated there are publicly accessible hiking trails and beaches within the installation’s boundaries, which is not the case due to our security requirements.

Trespassers on any of the beaches that fall on U.S. Navy property are subject to a Federal citation, which includes a monetary fine and a possible appearance at the Federal District Court in Tacoma.

The island’s beaches and hiking trails to the south and west of SR 116/Flagler Road are open for public use, including the waterfront and pathways at L.B. Good Memorial County Park.

All other beaches and trails north of the Port Hadlock bridge to Port Townsend Bay, south around the island to Kilisut Harbor and up to the Marrowstone Island causeway are restricted areas and are not authorized for public use. Mariners must also avoid the 100 to 200-yard buffer zone around the ammunition pier’s port security barrier.

Indian Island plays a key role in our military’s national defense mission as the Navy’s only deep-water ammunition port on the West Coast. The installation’s stringent security procedures are critical for ensuring our team can safely provide ordnance support to fleet vessels operating out in the Pacific Ocean.

These boundaries are important because securing our installation enables us to increase public safety for the communities around us as we carry out our mission requirements.

We welcome the public onboard Indian Island once each summer to see the island’s natural beauty in a safe and secure setting during our annual 5k and 1-mile Deer Run. This July we had almost 100 people participate in the race. We look forward to seeing more of our neighbors at the starting line next year! 

Respectfully,

Cmdr. Don Emerson
Commanding Officer, Naval Magazine Indian Island