The first thing to understand is WHO CONTROLS THE RIGHTS OF USEAGE OF THE WATERS AND THE SEABED OF PUGET SOUND
        1.     First, the waters.  Generally speaking, all of the waters of Puget Sound are subject to the laws and rules of the U.S., the State, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and are considered "navigable waterways" under U.S. law.  They are subject to international  navigation rules known as the COLREGS (International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea).
        2.    Second, the seabed.  
                TIDELANDS.     In Washington State, a large percentage of the seabed out to a line defined as "mean lower low water", i.e. a fairly low low tide line, are owned by the "uplands" owner, i.e. the owners of the land coming down to the shore.  These seabeds are called by most people the "tidelands."  These are therefore "private property."
                SEABED BEYOND OR DEEPER THAN  "MEAN LOWER LOW WATER."    This is the seabed that is always covered by water.  It is owned by the State of Washington and managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.  The DNR in turn is obligated to work with other "interested parties" e.g. the Tribes, the USCG, the USCE, Fish and Wildlife and others to be sure that the use of the seabed by anyone does not infringe on the rights or uses of others.  HOWEVER, in the case of moorings, the state considers that the owner of the adjoining uplands and tidelands have some precedence in the use of the non-tidal seabed, between the two property lines projected seaward from the owner's uplands property, as long as that use does not unduly interfere with the rights of  other users of the surrounding waters.
        Which leads us to the two types of possible moorings:  LEGAL AND NOT LEGAL.  
        NON-LEGAL MOORINGS.    Any mooring which has been placed anywhere in Puget Sound in waters that are beyond the mean lower low water, i.e. in a location that never dries out between tides, without a permit from the state, is illegal,
unless  the person who places and owns the mooring can prove some sort of ownership of that seabed, which in this state for a private citizen is not likely.   There are a number of contractors who will be happy to come out and drop an anchor, usually a one-ton ecology block, with chain and a buoy, anywhere you tell them to drop it.  Or boat owners have used a variety of  ingenious methods of floating out and sinking various kinds of weights with attached chain and buoy.  The truth is that  the majority of moorings in this state are illegal.  However, state resources for enforcing the law are very weak  and citations for such violations seem to be rare.  
    All of the small bays around Puget Sound have multitudes of  moorings, most likely with a majority lacking formal state permits.   Around Camano Island, the shallows in front of the Country Club and just off the county park at Utsalady are prime examples.
     Camano Sail and Power, LLC will not place moorings which lack a state permit due to the risk to our Coast Guard license.   
     LEGAL MOORINGS    
     Tidelands.    If you are the owner of tidelands, you may install a mooring anchor on that part of the seabed that lies above mean lower low water, i.e. on seabed that dries out during one of the lowest of tides, without a permit.  If you do not own the tidelands, then clearly you need the permission of the owner of those tidelands.
      Below tidelands.  That is, in waters that never dry out.  First, you must be the owner of the adjoining uplands.  Second, you need a permit from the Department of Natural Resources.  Our information as of 2009 is that they will allow one mooring per waterfront lot at no DNR charge beyond the fees for the initial permit.  We believe that additional moorings per one lot will be charged an annual lease fee.

O.K., SO NOW WHAT??    If you do not care if the mooring is legal or not, then you do whatever you need to do and cross your fingers.    If you do care about legality, then we would be happy to talk to you.  
    The first step is to make sure that you own the lot, waterfront and tidelands.
    The second step is for us to determine  what size boat you plan on mooring and during which months (summer months have fewer high wind and wave incidents compared to fall, winter and spring and the design of the mooring must take the season into account).
    The third step is to use the data from the first step to determine what depth of water will be appropriate, taking into account the tidal range and other factors.
    The third step assuming you own the uplands and waterfront and tidelands, is to have a seabed survey done to determine if there are kelp or eelgrass beds present in the water where you propose to set the mooring. The DNR and Fish and Wildlife will not permit moorings that substantially endanger or degrade these two very important  fish habitats.
This survey is usually done by a scuba diver, underwater camera or some combination thereof.  This survey will result in a map of the seabed showing the areas that are suitable for a mooring.
    The fourth step is to make a formal application to the DNR for a permit to install a mooring.  At this point, once the DNR has your application in hand, they circulate it to other interested agencies and groups, including the Tribes.  This is often just a customary formality resulting in no objections.  But, depending on the location, someone like Fish and Wildlife or the Tribes could make a request for some change in your plans.  This is uncommon but not unheard of.
    The fourth step is for Camano Sail and Power LLC to design the mooring that is satisfactory given the depth of water, tidal range, size of boat, expected weather, and following some guidelines laid out by the DNR etc.
    The fifth step is for us to install the mooring in a manner that is approved by the DNR.
    BOTTOM LINE    These numbers are approximate because of all of the variables involved.
    Preliminary consultation to gather information from client on their planned uses of the mooring.           no charge if local.
    Seabed survey by an independent subcontractor                                                                                                     $500-2000
    Completion and submittal of application to DNR by Camano Sail and Power on behalf of client                $200 plus DNR
                                                                                                                                                                                                            fees
    Design and installation of anchor, chain and buoy (includes two annual complimentary inspections)    min. $1000.