Hi Tweets

Good news for fish and birds in Ballard and Seattle. The city, and
Groundswell NW have purchased 4 out of 5 parcels on the N side of the ship
canal between Hiram's Restaurant and the BNSF RR bridge to form the Salmon
Bay Natural Area. this is a favorite sheltered area in Winter for
Goldeneyes, Mergansers, DC Cormorants and Grebes to name a few. Herons
(From the nearby Kiwanis Ravine Heronry), eagles and hawks use the area as
well. It's a small area, 680 ft of shoreline but preservation is better
than the condos and business use planned (Along with a huge fill into the
canal.) There's a dedication at Hiram's this Sat. Details follow, and
purchase of the 5th parcel is planned.

Some notes:

>From http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/npo/sector/5.asp

Salmon Bay Natural Area: Groundswell, NW has been successful in its efforts
to acquire the last undeveloped wooded shoreline along the Salmon Bay
Waterway, on both sides of the 34th Ave. NW street-end, between Hiram?s and
the railroad bridge. Together with the street-end and other adjacent public
lands, the property contains over 680 feet of undeveloped estuarine
shoreline. A Small and Simple Matching Fund Project to develop conceptual
plans for the site has been completed, including ideas for a demonstration
project to enhance estuarine habitat, viewpoints of the Salmon Bay
Waterway, and interpretive signage.



>From http://www.groundswellnw.org/

Join us for a celebration and dedication of the initial purchase of the
Salmon Bay Natural Area with Mayor Greg Nickels on Saturday, October 5,
1:30-3:30 pm at Hiram's at the Locks, 5300 34th NW, Seattle. This will be a
benefit with appetizers and an open bar. RSVPs appreciated. Call 228-9656
or email Laura Veirs (laura at groundswellnw.org). (The Salmon Bay Natural
Area is the last undeveloped, wooded piece of shoreline in Ballard.)

=================
Cliff Drake
SW Ballard, Seattle, WA
cliff at cliffdrake.net