Dear Mr. Nelson, I have learned that development once again threatens
Semiahmoo Spit. I wish to voice my objection and hope that you will forward
my email to the appropriate person(s).

Although I am a birder based in Seattle, I spend a great deal of my time
hiking in scenic areas all over our lovely state. For me, some of the most
enjoyable times, when I see the best birds, are when I am near the water. It
is this habitat which is so very threatened by development. Everyone wants
waterfront property, or at least a view.

One of the things I have noticed about our state is that from our earliest
history, we took the attitude that all property must be owned by somebody,
and if somebody private owns it, then by definition the public is excluded.
Last week I was in the Blaine/Semiahmoo area and did a great deal of driving
trying to find public, open space near the water. It was mighty scarce! What
I did find in abundance was lines and lines of private homes and apartment
buildings hogging the waterfront and the views.

This is in stark contrast to states such as California, where public access
to the water has historically been more valued. I lived for a brief time in
the LA area and much appreciated the public access I, as a poor person, had
to the magnificent beaches and bike trails all along the ocean.

Given our growing population and the increasing scarcity of open space, I
think we need to value very highly what little remains. This is true no
matter whether we like to stroll along and look at the water or whether we
want to preserve native habitat or save wildlife. They're all endangered and
need preserving.

Can we say the same about condos, especially condos built on land that still
has wildlife habitat on it? I don't think so. Please do what you can to
preserve Semiahmoo Spit from development. Once it's gone, it's gone forever,
and we are all the poorer. - Constance Sidles, 4532 48th Avenue NE, Seattle,
WA 98105

csidles at isomedia.com