On Mon, 7 Nov 1994, grant hendrickson wrote:

> I hope to stop by the Everett Sewage Ponds on my way up I-5 next week and
> would interested in suggestions on how best to view the birds there. Are
> there viewing protocols that one should know? How is access gained?

It's been a while since I've been there but....

The ponds are on Smith Island. If you don't know your way around Everett
exit the freeway to Marine View Drive to Broadway (Old US99, now 529). Take
Broadway north down the hill into the valley on old US99, watch for exit
to Smith Island and the marina. Follow the road back south and then east
past the marina, past the park along the river, under I-5 and the STP is
right there. On the way back when you get to the intersection by the US99
bridge go under the bridge and go north for a while to find the on-ramp to
the highway headed south.

Stop at the STP office and ask for a permit. You have to sign a release and
they give a permit good for a couple years. At least that was the
procedure a year or so ago. Also check out the dike to east of the ponds
and the road/trail on to Spencer Island, I don't know if Spencer Island is
open to the public yet but the dike path is open. The dike alone can be
worth the stop.

Keep your eyes open for raptors as well as the birds on the ponds.

Ted Becker tbecker at eskimo.com
(206) 794-3708 (FAX by appointment) or (206) 794-9329
26915 Van Brocklin Road, Monroe, WA 98272