Tweets - I will be sending out an action alert on this later today....
Lauren Braden

SEATTLE AUDUBON SOCIETY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

CONTACTS LISTED BELOW
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2000

One of Largest Great Blue Heron Colonies in Puget Sound Threatened by
Development

RENTON, WA-- A nesting colony of 100 Great Blue Herons along the Black
River is threatened by a proposed apartment complex development right
next door. The proposed development project would require the City of
Renton to rezone a steep hillside adjacent to the heron colony to a
higher density. Environmental groups and concerned citizens are opposed
to the rezone because of its impact on the herons and other fish and
wildlife in the adjacent Black River Riparian Forest. Great Blue Herons
populations in Puget Sound are in decline for reasons that are not yet
clear, and have been proposed for status review conducted by the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"This area is crucial for the herons and other wildlife," said Suzanne
Krom, president of Citizens for Renton Wildlands Preservation. "It
consists of steep slopes, where everything runs downhill into the pond,
creek, and wetlands below where the herons, salmon, and other wildlife
live and feed. The current proposal for multi-family apartments will
likely have a major impact on the heron colony."

The Renton Planning Commission is taking comments from the public and
will then make a recommendation. The recommendation will then go to the
Renton City Council for a final decision.

The first step in the development is a proposed rezone to Multi-Family.
The site is currently zoned Commercial Office and Commercial Arterial.
The property, which is a steep hillside, is directly adjacent to the
Black River Riparian Forest, home to 100 nesting adult Great Blue
Herons, and where in the next month or so the sounds of about 150 new
baby herons are expected to echo through the riparian forest. If the
rezone is approved, the hillside will be developed into up to 482
apartment units for approximately 858 new residents.

Helen Ross, Seattle Audubon Conservation Coordinator, calls the Black
River Riparian Forest and the adjacent hillside "one of the last best
places in Puget Sound. This is the third time citizens have come
together to remind the City of Renton of its responsibility to its
residents to protect this wonderful place. This hillside is an
inappropriate place for this development given the extraordinarily rich
diversity of life on the site and the protected land below."

The Great Blue Heron colony, with over 50 nests, is one of the largest
in Puget Sound. The herons share the creek and pond with chinook and
coho salmon that live and migrate through the creek and pond in the
riparian forest. Red-Tailed Hawks fly overhead hunting for wild rabbit.
Bald Eagles are often seen in this area. Even river otter and red fox
are found here.

"Black River is truly is a shining star for Renton," said Krom. "The
City of Renton should continue to protect this place from high-impact,
high-density development which could easily destroy it."

The Seattle Audubon Society, Rainier Audubon Society, and Citizens for
Renton Wildlands Preservation are urging the City to not approve the
rezone. If the rezone is not approved, the current zoning will allow for
offices and retail shops, which the organizations say will have far less
impact than Multi-Family apartments.

"A Multi-Family development with even 200 units or less would introduce
far more people and their pets to the extremely sensitive habitat below
much more of the time. That's our concern. Black River is an
extraordinary place that should be protected forever for people, fish,
and wildlife," Krom said.

"We oppose the rezone because it will introduce an unacceptable level of
damage to this entire area. We are not opposed to development. We just
want to make sure that it's done responsibly," Ross said.

A public hearing will be held Wednesday, May 3, at 7 pm at the Renton
City Hall, 1055 South Grady Way, on the 7th floor. Krom says that the
single most effective way to protect this site is for people to come to
the hearing to show their support for protecting the heron colony and
other wildlife in the sanctuary. Letters and e-mail will also show
public support. Letters and e-mail should reference project number
LUA-99-178, ECF, R and be addressed to Larry Brosman, Chair, Renton
Planning Commission, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98055. E-mail
should be sent to jwright at ci.renton.wa.us.


CONTACTS
Seattle Audubon Society - Helen Ross, 206-523-8243 x 13
Citizens For Renton Wildlands Preservation - Suzanne Krom, 206-933-0222
Rainier Audubon Society - Bruce Harpham, 253-874-9792