Alan (& Tweeters community),

Thanks for alerting us to the flaws of this SEIS.
I, too, have no idea if there's anything that can
be done at this date. However, I have written Jan
Arntz at UW, who sent me notice of the "Final
SEIS." I would encourage others on this list to
do the same, and to read the supplemental
environmental impact statement, which may be found at
http://f2.washington.edu/cpo/sites/default/files/file/UW%20IMA%20Field%20FINAL%20SEIS%202012-05-04.pdf

I'm not likely personally to lead an effort on
this issue, but it seems to me that the first
step may be to request a good-faith
reconsideration of the report by UW and the
community. That failing, a more public challenge
would seem appropriate, including letters to the
media or a publicized media event.

Below is a copy of my email thread with Jan
Arntz. If anyone wants to chime in, do feel free to borrow from my verbage.

Marc Hoffman
www.SongbirdPhoto.com
Kirkland, WA

======================== copy of email ======================
>Hello Jan,
>
>Thank you for the link to the Final SEIS.
>
>I have heard disturbing comments from wildlife
>experts that this study has misrepresented some
>of the facts and neglected to consider some
>commonly recognized environmental impacts -- as
>two examples, it appears to have underreported
>the number of species of migratory and
>residential birds in the affected area, and did
>not take into account that removal of natural
>turf will in itself increase greenhouse gas levels.
>
>I am hoping that "Final" in the SEIS title does
>not mean the UW would choose to ignore serious,
>fact-based concerns about the validity of the
>SEIS. Is your office willing to engage in further discussion of these issues?
>
>Thank you.
>
>Marc Hoffman
>Nature Photographer
>http://www.SongbirdPhoto.com
>
>At 09:55 AM 5/4/2012, you wrote:
>>Thank you for submitting comments on the Draft
>>Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for
>>the Proposed Intramural Activities Field No. 1 Improvements Project.
>>
>>The University of Washington has completed the
>>Final Supplemental Environmental Impact
>>Statement for the proposed project. This
>>document contains project information and
>>responds to comments received on the Draft
>>Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
>>
>>The document may be accessed at the following link:
>>
>><http://f2.washington.edu/cpo/sites/default/files/file/UW%20IMA%20Field%20FINAL%20SEIS%202012-05-04.pdf>http://f2.washington.edu/cpo/sites/default/files/file/UW%20IMA%20Field%20FINAL%20SEIS%202012-05-04.pdf
>>
>>
>>Jan A. Arntz
>>Environmental and Land Use Compliance Officer
>>Capital Projects Office
>>University of Washington
>>Box 352205
>>206.221.4319
>><http://www.cpo.washington.edu>www.cpo.washington.edu
>><mailto:jarntz at u.washington.edu>jarntz at u.washington.edu
>>

===================== end copy of email =======================



At 10:22 PM 5/4/2012, pan wrote:
>Folks,
>
>It's heartwarming reading the public comments in the impact statement
>about potentially replacing the grass of that field north of the Fill
>with artificial turf (link below). They come from various perspectives,
>but they _all_ express the same sentiment: grass is preferred. Reading
>the report and it's responses, though, suggests the U's preferred
>alternative is still plastic. Many clear reports about birds by
>observers were flatly denied. I don't know what it's worth, but I'm
>sending this note back.
>
>Ciao,
>
>Alan Grenon
>Seattle
>
>
>Thank you for providing quick access to the latest version of this
>report. A quick read of the report reveals, unfortunately, the
>following shortcomings.
>
>In section 3.5, climate change, the EIS neglects to include the impact
>of replacing the greenhouse gas removing capacity of 3.5 acres of
>photosynthesizing plants in the living turf with non-living surfaces.
>
>Page 3-61: Much of the wildlife information is incomplete or out of
>date. For example, Bald Eagles also nest in the vicinity of the
>project, and are present year-round. Wood Ducks do nest in the
>vicinity. There are even nest boxes for this species in nearby
>Washington Park arboretum. The closest Great Blue Heron rookery is not
>east across Lake Washington, but on the University of WA campus itself,
>a short distance west of the UBNA.
>
>The list of birds on page 3-65 is far from a complete list of birds
>often using the turf presently on the project site. Examples include
>arctic-nesting Greater White-fronted Goose, Mew Gull, American Pipit,
>and many other migratory species not ???urban.??? Most of these species
>feed on the invertebrates and the vegetation of the turf, which will not
>be available in artificial turf. The presence of other turf habitats in
>the region does not negate the fact that this patch is the one these
>birds most often are seen to use in the vicinity. Reducing the
>productive area of this attractive field will reduce the probability
>these open country species will continue to use it. They do not use the
>small plots of residential settings. _Even incremental reduction in
>available habitat will reduce the numbers of wildlife that can live in
>an area._
>
>The research literature on the negative affects of night lighting on
>insect abundance and diversity (as well as on migratory birds) has
>apparently not been consulted.
>
>Because of various plantings at UBNA, less area is mowed annually to
>control blackberries than is suggested in the report. These plantings
>have mostly reduced the area of open habitats at UBNA (as described on
>p. 3-70), making this playfield (the proposed project area) more
>important for migratory birds.
>
>Referring to p. A-5, usual hydrology findings would hold established
>plants would use (in photosynthesis) and transpire more water than
>non-living surfaces, so runoff is likely to increase with this change,
>in contradiction with this report.
>
> >From p. A-8: ???A small amount of forage area for a limited number of
>species, such as Canada Geese, will result from replacement of lawn by
>artificial turf.??? As mentioned above, many more migratory bird
>species use this field. Calling 3.5 acres ???small??? is subjective,
>and inaccurate in an urban setting.
>
>On page B-7, the report???s responses to earlier comments deny years of
>direct observations by experienced citizens who made those comments,
>claiming, among else, ???Gadwalls seldom forage on land??? and
>???waterfowl use of mowed grass athletic fields is very low.??? Both of
>those statements are false, including specifically on this field.
>
>On page B-8, the report???s response denies the direct reports of
>experienced observers of the many bird species recorded repeatedly using
>the project???s proposed field. These are not all ???common urban
>birds.???
>
>I find no response to the comment about increased heat island effects of
>artificial turf compared to grass.
>
>The report should be amended to address these issues.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Alan Grenon
>Seattle
>
>
>
>On Fri, 4 May 2012 16:55:07 +0000, "Carmen Staab"
><crs6 at u.washington.edu> said:
> > Thank you for submitting comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental
> > Impact Statement for the Proposed Intramural Activities Field No. 1
> > Improvements Project.
> >
> > The University of Washington has completed the Final Supplemental
> > Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed project. This document
> > contains project information and responds to comments received on the
> > Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
> >
> > The document may be accessed at the following link:
> >
> >
> http://f2.washington.edu/cpo/sites/default/files/file/UW%20IMA%20Field%20FINAL%20SEIS%202012-05-04.pdf
> >
> >
> > Jan A. Arntz
> > Environmental and Land Use Compliance Officer
> > Capital Projects Office
> > University of Washington
> > Box 352205
> > 206.221.4319
> > www.cpo.washington.edu<http://www.cpo.washington.edu>
> > jarntz at u.washington.edu<mailto:jarntz at u.washington.edu>
> >
>--
> pan
> panmail at fastmail.fm
>
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>
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