Don't know if those of you who bird at the Fill are aware, but Windermere
Real Estate is planning a large fireworks display for Union Bay on May 5. I,
and many others, are incredulous that this could be permitted in this area,
especially during nesting season. For those of you willing to take some
action to try and stop this, I have attached information below. Thanks.



Whatever we can do to get the message out, and to get some experts actually
speaking up about potential impacts on the animals. The science is important
and is key to making a real impact and difference here! Anyone who can speak
to what they know and have observed about Union Bay and the wildlife there,
that's crucial.

I'm forwarding to you the letter I e-mailed to all Seattle City Council
Members, Mayor Nickels, and others. I would also suggest they call and write
Windermere Real Estate's Marketing Manager, Carolyn Holmberg 206.527.3801 or
the Windermere coordinator for this event, Joe Guerreri , same phone number.
Mention to Windermere what a poor idea it is to hold this, on Union Bay and
during nesting time ESPECIALLY. This type of activity doesn't belong on
Union Bay.

A local radio station, KMTT 103.7 FM "The Mountain" is simulcasting music
for the event, and is promoting the event on the air and on their website,
<outbind://41/www.kmtt.com> www.kmtt.com I find it hard to believe they've
thought through this thing, environmentally; they're usually more aware than
this. Their promotions director is Jennifer Orr at 206.233.1037.

As you know, time is short! The event is scheduled to take place just one
week from tomorrow. The community was not notified about this until 3 days
ago, Monday April 24....and that was through a Windermere promotional
postcard mailed to our homes here in the Laurelhurst area. Hardly what I
would call public notice.

Thanks for all your help!!

Susan

-----Original Message-----

From: Susan E. Marten [ <mailto:s.marten at comcast.net>
mailto:s.marten at comcast.net]

Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 12:03 PM

To: nick.licata at seattle.gov; sally.clark at seattle.gov;
richard.conlin at seattle.gov; david.della at seattle.gov; jan.drago at seattle.gov;
jean.godden at seattle.gov; richard.mciver at seattle.gov;
tom.rasmussen at seattle.gov; peter.steinbrueck at seattle.gov

Cc: steve.nicholas at seattle.gov; 'Kahle Charles and Ruth (E-mail) ';
htrim at pugetsound.org; elaine.ko at seattle.gov; brian.hawksford at seattle.gov

Subject: Environmental Concerns Regarding May 5 Firework Show On Union Bay

Dear Seattle City Council Members,

I'm writing to each of you today regarding my concern about a permit that
has been issued by the City of Seattle Special Events Committee for a
fireworks display on Lake Washington's Union Bay, slated for Friday, May 5
at 9:30 pm. This fireworks event is hosted by Windermere Real Estate and the
University of Washington, and they're billing it as the "Windermere Cup Sky
Light Celebration" in conjunction with opening day of boating season.

Their plan is to float a barge in the middle of Union Bay and light the
fireworks from that surface.

My concern centers around the fact that Union Bay is an environmentally
critical area. It provides critical habitat for federally listed species
such as Chinook salmon and nesting bald eagles. Of course, along with those
two species are many other animals that are part of the delicate Union Bay
ecosystem. The area is one of the largest and most significant wetlands on
the lake. And right now, we are in the prime of nesting season around this
exact body of water. It is my belief that a fireworks display at this time
of year and over this body of water could be potentially disastrous to this
fragile ecosystem. Not only is the noise and smoke of grave concern in terms
of its disruption and stress on the animals, but the debris generated by the
explosives themselves is sure to land in the water, raising pollution
concerns and the possibility of ingestion by the animals. Such ingestion can
prove fatal.

Windermere hosted the same event in 2005, at the exact same time of year. At
that time, I spoke at length with Virginia Swanson, Chair of the Special
Events Committee, about my environmental concerns regarding this event. I
was assured then that a permit of this sort would never be issued again,
given the environmental issues I raised. However, much to my shock and
dismay, two days ago I received a Windermere Real Estate promotional
postcard in my home mailbox, announcing the 2006 event. This is the first
our community has heard anything about it.

I am distressed to know that the City has failed to undertake a proper
environmental assessment for this event, as required by law. It is my belief
that since the City has taken a government action (by analyzing the permit
and subsequently granting it) the SEPA process ought to kick in here, as
required by law. But no SEPA process has taken place. No SEPA checklist has
been completed by the applicant. Environmental impacts have not been
properly addressed. And the public has been left out of the loop, unable to
comment.

I have spoken with agencies and organizations throughout our community and
the state. To a person, they are shocked that such an activity could be
taking place on this body of water, at this particular time of year. I
implore you to look into this matter immediately. I request that the permit
be rescinded and a proper environmental review take place immediately. In
addition, I ask that the City Council ensure that procedures are in place
within all City departments so that appropriate environmental review is part
of permit applications. It is a federal offense to harass a protected
species, such as a bald eagle. It is environmentally insensitive for the
City to put the delicate Union Bay ecosystem into jeopardy. A fireworks
display is not categorically exempt from the SEPA process, and I urge you to
rescind the permit for the Windermere Cup Fireworks Display, event
application # S06MY093.

Please contact me with any questions. I would be more than happy to share
with you the information I have gathered from various agencies and
organizations throughout the state.

Sincerely,

Susan E. Marten

s.marten at comcast.net

206.523.9847