I've been on the phone this morning with Seattle City Council, City
Hall, and the Seattle Fire Marshall's office (from whom I'm expecting
a call back). Then, just for a more educated opinion than my own, I
contacted an ornithologist at UW about this whole matter. His opinion
was that the fireworks are "the least of the problem" and he would
not be concerned about the event. I must say, considering what
opening day in boating season is like, and months-on-end of power
boats, water skiers, etc., his opinion does make sense. Not that we
should encourage the additional noise/smoke/debris of fireworks
displays, but perhaps this is more a long-term environmental struggle
than an emergency crisis.

Other opinions?

Marc Hoffman
Kirkland, WA
mailto:tweeters at dartfrogmedia.com

At 11:06 AM 4/28/2006, you wrote:
>I forwarded this to my cousin who is a Windermere realtor. Beyond
>the city officials, if any of you in Tweeter land know people who
>work for the company, hit them with this, too. Maybe some activism
>from the inside will help.
>
>Janeanne Houston
>West Seattle
>-----Original Message-----
>From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
>[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of C. Anderson
>Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2006 9:13 AM
>To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
>Cc: 'Susan E. Marten'
>Subject: [Tweeters] Montlake Fill - Fireworks display during nesting season!
>
>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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