Tweeters,

Once again the Spit at Semiahmoo is in danger. Trillium Corporation has
announced a revised plan for an even larger development.

Your help is needed to preserve this resource. Below is an email that I
sent this morning for your information. You may send comments to
rnelson at ci.blaine.wa.us or by snail mail to Russell Nelson, Community
Planner, City of Blaine, 344 H Street, Blaine Washington, 98230.

Thanks for your help!

Steve Taylor
Bellingham

Fine photography available at
http://www.sparkemeister.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Taylor [mailto:leftee at qwest.net]
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 8:49 AM
To: rnelson at ci.blaine.wa.us
Subject: Semiahmoo Development


Mr. Russell Nelson and the City Council of Blaine Washington,

I recently received notice of Trillium Corporation's application for the
"Seagrass Cottages Subdivision application to create 36 duplex lots on
Semiahmoo Spit, City of Blaine."

I cannot tell you how strenuously I object to this plan.

First, after some public unrest over their original plan to build a 64 unit
condominium project on 14 acres, Trillium now proposes to build 36 duplexes
on 20.5 acres. This constitutes even more disruption to the unique,
irreplaceable spit at Semiahmoo. This project would destroy 6.5 more acres
of the spit and increase traffic and pollution from run-off etc by an extra
8 living units.

As I mentioned in earlier communications to you, this area is a huge draw
for wildlife and has the potential to be an even larger draw. As a resting
place for migratory waterfowl, Semiahmoo Spit is a natural resource that
should be preserved and made available to all.

This mornings Washington Post has an article, available at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6063-2003Sep26.html
This article is a sterling example of how a resource such as Semiahmoo Spit
can become a draw for environmentally responsible tourism. This is not
merely a story about people being nice to birds. It is a story about
business. The article states "According to the most recent U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service survey, in 2001 more than 18 million people traveled to
bird-watch. Wildlife-watchers spent about $8.2 billion, the study concluded,
with about $229 million dropped in Texas."

Surely with $8.2 billion dollars at play, preservation of the Spit at
Semiahmoo as a wildlife area is worth considering. If Trillium is allowed
to go ahead with it's plans to bulldoze and develop the Spit, an important
resource will be lost.

I am personally a frequent visitor to Semiahmoo and Blaine. I enjoy
observing nature and photographing it, from my kayak, on a bicycle and on
foot. When I come to Blaine, even for the day, I spend money. I am not the
only one. This proposed development would seriously impact my desire to
visit. One of my photographs will give you a real sense of what I am
writing about. Please take a moment to look at the photograph at
http://www.sparkmeister.com/Gallery1/Snag-Sunset.htm
This photo was taken from the southern edge of the Semiahmoo Marina parking
lot. The proposed development would be in the lower foreground of this
photo. Take a moment to imagine 36 duplex units in the lower foreground of
the photo. I'm sure you'll agree that the beauty and serenity of this place
would be forever destroyed.

I urge you to share this information with all those involved in this
decision and I urge all of you to give serious consideration to the valuable
and fragile nature of this unique land form.

Steve Taylor
(address and phone deleted