Evan Smith: State House passes amended Point Wells bill

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

An amended version of the bill that would force Snohomish County to consider the interests of the cities of Shoreline and Woodway in any approval of the development at Point Wells passed the State House of Representatives Thursday.

The bill passed by a 63-35 vote, with both Democrats and Republicans on both sides of the issue.

Democratic State Rep. Ruth Kagi, the bill’s principal sponsor, told me Friday that she worked with Democratic State Rep. Deb Eddy, D-Kirkland, an environmental attorney, to amend the bill so that Shoreline and Woodway would have a meaningful voice, but wouldn’t have veto power.

“The amended bill requires that jurisdictions significantly impacted by the Point Wells project will be co-leads in the development of the state environmental protection act,” Kagi said. “It assures they will have a real voice. I worked with the City of Shoreline on the language and they support it.”

Kagi said that opposition came from representatives who believe that requirements in the bill for an inter-local agreement won’t withstand a court challenge because it essentially gave Shoreline and Woodway veto power.

“The permit could not be approved unless the cities and county agreed,” Kagi said.

The bill now goes to the State Senate, where a committee has already approved a companion bill, which Democratic Sen. Maralyn Chase has sponsored.

Chase, Kagi and Democratic State Rep. Cindy Ryu, a co-sponsor of Kagi’s bill, represent Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Woodway, Kenmore, south Edmonds and the rest of the 32nd Legislative District.