Subject: [Tweeters] Montlake Fill - Fireworks display during nesting
Date: Apr 28 08:10:20 2006
From: csidles at isomedia.com - csidles at isomedia.com


Hey tweets, I'm going to make my calls this morning to all the numbers
suggested below. I urge all of you to do the same. Numbers do count in
these matters. By the way, it isn't just nesting birds that will be
affected. We are at the height of spring migration, and as we all know,
many birds migrate at night. Also, if anyone in tweeterdom knows of
specific eagle nesting activity around Foster Island or on the Laurelhurst
peninsula, please include that information when you call or email. -
Connie

> 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
>
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