Public beach access grows contentious

A dispute over whether access to a public beach off Wonn Road in Greenbank is in public or private ownership has prompted growing concern over control of public access throughout Whidbey Island.

While disagreements over property boundaries and right-of-way issues have forced Island County to intervene and put the matter in the hands of the Island County Prosecutor's Office, the squabble boils down to one issue - public access to Whidbey Island's shorelines.

And as the Island's population continues to grow - and access to beaches becomes more difficult - some local residents warn this kind of conflict will happen more frequently and become more contentious than ever.