Hello,

One of the great birding and recreational areas in North West Washington is
under threat. The spit at Semiahmoo which is populated by many species of
wintering and migrating birds is being sited for condo development.

To quote Joe Meche who posted just 2 days ago

"Take a trip up to Blaine's Drayton Harbor/Semiahmoo Bay to see Washington's
finest winter birding. Over the past two weeks, the number of birds has
increased dramatically with the increase in movement of herring in the area.
Huge rafts of birds cover the surface of Drayton Harbor, into Semiahmoo Bay
all the way to White Rock, B.C. My wife, Cindy, and I observed more than
1,000 loons of three species, hundreds of Red-breasted Mergansers, all three
scoter species, two cormorant species, Harlequin and Long-tailed Ducks, and
numerous gulls taking advantage of the upwelling created by the feeding
frenzy of all the diving birds. Did I mention all the scaup, Buffleheads,
Common Mergansers, pintails, wigeons, Mallards, etc.?
Good flocks of Dunlin are also present and keep at least three Peregrine
Falcons busy. Three pairs of Bald Eagles are within view from just about any
spot in the area.

One visit this time of year will leave no doubt as to why the area anchors
the Cascades Loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail and shines as
one of the 53 Important Bird Areas in Washington state."

Please help to stop this destruction before it's too late.

Read More at
http://news.bellinghamherald.com/stories/20030305/TopStories/131112.shtml

Contacts:

Comments on the Sea Grass Cottages plan are due by 4 p.m. March 17. For
information or to send comments, contact Russ Nelson, Blaine Department of
Community Development, 344 H St., Blaine, WA 98230, or call 332-8311.

Project Manager Jon Syre may be reached at the Trillium Corp. office, 4350
Cordata Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98226, or by calling 676-9400.

Steve Taylor
Bellingham, WA