Good morning Tweets,

For any of you who is interested in protecting birds and wildlife in the
Edmonds bowl, please read the Everett Herald op-ed that was published today
on behalf of Pilchuck Audubon. The link is
http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/04/05/29/opi_pilchuck002.cfm. This deals
with the illegal clearcutting by Triad Development (a Seattle company) of
the property they own on the south side of the Marsh where they are building
300 condominiums. There will be an Edmonds City Council hearing Tuesday
night at 7 p.m. in order to get public input on the deal Triad is asking the
City to sign off on in order to stop the enforcement proceeding for the
illegal clearcut of a steep slope that provided soil stabilization, bird
habitat, and a wildlife corridor. The worst part about Triad's proposal is
that it would be off the hook for any liability or damages after three
years, just in time to offer clear title to prospective condominium buyers.
I can imagine how a long-term obligation to protect the slope, running with
the land, would affect sales and selling prices. Triad's lawyer, who has
set forth the terms of Triad's proposed settlement, is a friend of Edmonds
Mayor Haakenson and Development Director Duane Bowman. That suggests to me
why this looks like a sweetheart deal for Triad and a lousy deal for Edmonds
residents, birders, and downslope landowners. If any of you has the time,
energy, interest, you can read the proposed settlement terms at the Edmonds
web site: www.ci.edmonds.wa.us. The link to the settlement is on the home
page.

The birds will only be with us as long as we remain vigilant stewards of the
earth.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds