Subject: Black River Great Blue Heron colony development update
Date: Feb 17 22:28:35 2004
From: suzanne krom - szkrom at juno.com


Dear Tweeter friends,
Eleven days ago I wrote to you requesting that you write letters to the
City of Renton. This request referred to a housing development proposed
for the hillside next to the Black River heron colony. The development
threatens the birds' nesting habitat. Black River is home to the largest
great blue heron colony in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. This past
season there were approximately 135 active great blue heron nests.

Your response was terrific. Thanks to your letters, the City of Renton is
acknowledging our concerns. This doesn't guarantee that Renton will act
on our concerns, but we've got their attention and that's an important
first step.

Those of you who wrote to Renton probably received a form letter from
Jason Jordan (the planner overseeing this application) in response to
your comment letter. We'd like to address three topics in his letter:

1) The development property has been down-zoned from several hundred
multi-family units to a maximum of 69 single-family units. The current
application proposes 65 houses. But those 65 houses filled with people,
pets, cars, lights, barbecues, pesticide-treated lawns, etc. will likely
have significant adverse impacts on the herons. What is Renton planning
to do to mitigate the impacts?

2) Renton states that the development is located 1,100 feet north of the
heron colony. They determined the distance based on an obsolete map that
fails to reflect the fact that the colony has more than doubled in size
and significantly expanded its territory. Will the distance adequately
protect the herons from the impacts of development? Is there an adequate
buffer of mature vegetation between the herons and the proposed houses?
The herons don't recognize property lines, and they are not a fixed point
on a map. The birds move from place to place as they feed, return to
their nests, and flee when disturbed. The herons are constantly
evaluating the entire area for threats to their safety.

3) The developer has proposed to designate over 16 acres of the 26-acre
site as open space. But much of this "open space" between the herons and
the development will be cleared of all trees and vegetation, completely
graded, and then hydroseeded, presumably with grass. Why is any
vegetation being removed from the open space? Wouldn't leaving the
existing mature big-leaf maples and rich canopy of native vegetation
provide a better buffer for the herons, and habitat for the remaining
wildlife?


**Don't be fooled by Renton's form letter in response to your comments.
As currently proposed, the impacts of this development on the heron
colony are likely to be severe. Renton is not adequately mitigating for
these impacts.**
Jason Jordan ended his letter asking for people to call him with
additional comments or questions. Let's take him up on his offer. Please
call or write Jason Jordan and question him further on the points
mentioned above.
Contact him at:
Jason Jordan, Senior Planner
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98055
(425) 430-7219

Please note: Public hearing in March
Mark your calendars to attend the March 23 public hearing. It starts at
9am and will probably last the entire day. It takes place in the Renton
Council Chambers, 7th Floor, Renton City Hall, 1055 South Grady Way,
Renton, WA 98055. Those interested in attending the hearing should
confirm the date by calling Herons Forever at (206) 933-0222 or check our
web site at http://www.heronsforever.org. You may drop in at your
convenience or stay to watch the proceedings. As the hearing date gets
closer, we will request that it be continued into the evening so that
more of you can attend. Check our website for the status of this request.


The herons thank you!

Suzanne Krom, President
Herons Forever
Seattle
mailto:szkrom at juno.com
http://www.heronsforever.org

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