The city of Des Moines, over the years, has created a vast boating community in the immediate area. The local marina and boat launch were a major factor in buying my home on North Hill. My choice of a boat and a trailer was totally based on the Des Moines launch. I have talked to many local boaters who tell me the same thing.

Now Des Moines wants to tell us boaters and fishermen to find somewhere else to enter the Sound. Local neighborhood marinas serve each boating community up and down the Sound and are spaced about right for each area's needs.

To eliminate Des Moines would overload West Seattle and Redondo. Redondo is not an option for many people because it is a tough launch to use, especially if you're alone.

Des Moines really does owe the locality the service they provide as they have effectively created a large boating/trailering population around them.

Another factor is pollution. Sending hundreds of large vehicles pulling boat trailers out to other areas and launches is not the way to reduce one's "carbon footprint."

I see nothing positive about removing the launch unless a nice boat ramp was to be installed in Des Moines.

Des Moines has the best launch on the Sound. The launch brings a lot more business to Des Moines than just putting boats in the water.

Dick Clark

North Hill