Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts

Letter to the Editor: Stop herbicide use in Lake Forest Park

Sunday, November 28, 2021

To the Editor:

Last August, Lake Forest Park residents were concerned to see that the city contracted the use of herbicides Roundup and Garlon 4 along Perkins way — including along salmon-bearing McAleer Creek. Herbicidal removal of invasive species constituted phase one of the Perkins Way project while phase two involves native plantings in spring 2022. Unfortunately, this use of herbicides is counterproductive to the goal of native restoration along Perkins Way.

Herbicides can unbalance bacterial and microorganism populations that are crucial for healthy soil. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is an antibiotic that eradicates the soil bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen and microorganisms that suppress soil-borne plant pathogens. An ENDS report in 1991 even showed that spray drift from target sites can decrease tree hardiness, particularly during winter. Use of herbicides might make space for native plants, but it leaves behind a lower quality environment.

Many have expressed concern that this work was done adjacent to a salmon-bearing stream, with good reason. Negative effects of glyphosate extend far beyond where it has been directly sprayed. A 2011 study in Pesticide Management Science found that glyphosate is detected in surrounding surface and groundwater nearly anywhere it is used due to contaminated runoff. Multiple studies have shown that herbicides, including Roundup, are detrimental to salmonids. In addition to causing neurological impairment, glyphosate negatively impacts aquatic invertebrates, reducing food sources for resident salmonids. Again, while herbicides may seem like an effective option now, they impair the ecosystem in the long run.

Herbicide use along Perkins Way, or anywhere in our city, is counterproductive to the goal of a thriving, native ecosystem. Manual removal, while more time consuming, aligns far better with this goal. To express concerns about herbicide use in Lake Forest Park, email project manager Andrew Silvia at asilvia@ci.lake-forest-park.wa.us.

Thalia Jensen
Lake Forest Park



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Letter to the Editor: Take the City Survey regarding the proposed new sidewalk on 20th Ave NW

Thursday, November 18, 2021

To the Editor:

The City of Shoreline is requesting citizen input into the proposed new sidewalk design for 20th Avenue NW, the street that leads into the entrance of the Richmond Beach Saltwater Park. Please take a few moments to complete a brief survey online to let City planners know your thoughts while the sidewalk is still in design.

In 2018, 52% of Shoreline residents voted for—as opposed to 48% against—new sidewalks on twelve streets in Shoreline, funded for twenty years by a .02% sales tax increase. The first sidewalk completed in the City’s new sidewalk program is eleven-foot wide, shared pedestrian and bicycle use along 1st Avenue NE (NE 193rd – NE 195th St). 

The new sidewalk design is along 5th Avenue NE, from NE 175th to NE 182nd Court, where 23 mature trees will be removed for six-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides of this narrow street.

For 20th Ave NW, City planners are proposing a ten-foot wide, shared pedestrian and bicycle sidewalk. Mature trees are at risk, depending on which side of the street the sidewalk is to be placed (to be determined).

The Shoreline Transportation Master Plan, Policy 38.4, page 179 states that the City should “Allow for flexibility in the implementation of the Master Street Plan to address site-specific, unique or unforeseen circumstances, such as the presence of bus stops, topography or large trees.”

Take the survey now and make your voice heard!

Carla Carroll
Shoreline Sidewalk Committee
Tree Preservation Code Team



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Letter to the Editor: Revise Shoreline tree codes to protect trees

Monday, November 15, 2021

To the Editor:

Due to increased housing development in Shoreline, we are losing and can expect more removal of trees in our neighborhoods. In accordance with Shoreline's Comprehensive Plan that confirms the larger community has an interest and right to participate in the planning process of the City, a group of Shoreline residents in 2019, collectively, the Tree Preservation Code Team (TPCT), worked for 6 months preparing 11 tree code amendments. This process required the completion of an application for each code stating its purpose and meeting three decision criteria. These were submitted at the end of November 2020.

From January to September 2021, City Staff reviewed TPCT’s proposed tree code amendments and presented its recommendations to the Planning Commission on October 7, 2021. In their presentation to the Planning Commission, City Staff recommended approval of some of TPCT’s proposed code amendments that ranged from tree-related definitions (SMC 20.20 Definitions) to tree policy and protection measures (SMC 20.50 General Development Standards), yet recommended denying a majority of the proposed tree code amendments.

Since Oct. 7, senior City Staff members, some Planning Commissioners, and Tree Preservation Code Team representatives had small meetings to review the tree code proposals in depth. These meetings have allowed all sides to discuss each tree code proposal and receive feedback, which consequently led TPCT to withdraw or revise some of the original 11 TPCT proposed tree code amendments. City Staff also amended some of the Staff recommendations. City Staff has included these revisions in their introduction to the November 11 Agenda Item 6a. The Tree Preservation Code Team will defend the remaining proposed tree code amendments at the Planning Commission’s study session on Nov. 18 at 7pm.

Kathleen Russell
Shoreline 
Tree Preservation Code Team/Communications



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Letter to the Editor: Next week our city officials will be acting on two critically important environmental policies

Friday, November 12, 2021

To the Editor:

On Monday the City Council will be discussing a proposed ordinance to limit the use of fossil fuels for space and water heating in new buildings. Due to current Washington State Energy code restrictions, this can only apply to commercial construction and multi-family projects over three stories in height. In Shoreline 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and the resultant pollutants come from our buildings. Adopting this ordinance is critical to meeting the City’s stated emission reduction goals and promises an eventual transition to clean, safe all electric buildings in our future.

Next Thursday the Planning Commission will be making a recommendation on a group of privately initiated Development Code amendments related to Shoreline trees. Tree protection groups have been warning us for years of the crisis we face by the current loss of our tree canopy. For our clean air and health, for cooling shade, for enriching and stabilizing the soil, for absorbing carbon dioxide so critical to the enormous effort we face with the world's changing climate, trees, especially our magnificent Western conifers contribute so much to our very existence.

Submitting written public comments to the City Council or to the Planning Commission before their meetings or taking 3 minutes to speak at the meetings are small efforts anyone can do to let City officials hear our voices. We have seen before that if enough citizens speak up, they do listen. For City Council comments:

https://www.shorelinewa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/47295/637266259132070000

For Planning Commission comments:

https://www.shorelinewa.gov/government/departments/planning-community-development/planning-commission/planning-commission-remote-public-comment-sign-in

Lee Keim
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: John Ramsdell for Shoreline City Council

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

To the Editor: 

I want to strongly recommend John Ramsdell for Shoreline City Council, Position #1. He is heavily involved in our community to make it a great place for all to live and enjoy.

I know him to be someone who cares deeply for people, our city and the community. He leads by example. I encourage all to vote for him!

Katie Adjibly
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: I truly appreciate Tracy Furutani's contributions to the LFP Water District

Sunday, October 24, 2021

To the Editor:

In my opinion, we are very fortunate to reside in a community with such great candidates for City Council in the upcoming election. 

Regarding City Council Position #5, Maddy Larson and Tracy Furutani have both demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and the willingness to volunteer their time, effort and thought necessary for such a position.

I write this letter simply from a standpoint of gratitude.

Tracy Furutani has previously been a member of the volunteer Lake Forest Park Water District's (LFPWD) Citizens Advisory Committee. During that tenure Tracy provided the following services to the community:

  • Chaired the Advisory Committee
  • Assisted with development of the District's current draft Climate Action Plan
  • Co-hosted a LFPWD booth at the Town Center's Green Fair
  • Organized college students to study and help delineate the LFP Aquifer Recharge Area
  • Worked with others to develop 3D scale models of the nearby geology and hydrogeology
  • Using those 3D models, helped educate students and others at LFP and Brookside Elementary schools' science fairs about the unique and precious LFP aquifer.

In recognition of Tracy's advocacy, he was awarded the 2016 LFPWD Water Protector Award.

I truly appreciate Tracy's contributions to LFPWD.

Eli Zehner
Commissioner, LFPWD



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Letter to the Editor: John Ramsdell will be a great addition to the Shoreline council

Friday, October 22, 2021

To the Editor:

As a Shoreline resident and small business owner, I'd like to reach out to provide my support of John Ramsdell, the candidate for Shoreline City Council Position No. 1. I have known John for over five years now and can say with absolute certainty that he would be a great addition to the Council. He has done a tremendous amount of service to our local area and is continually donating his time and skills to improve the surrounding community. 

John has initiated and worked with the Parks department in transforming a vacant lot in the neighborhood into the new Westminster Park, has organized and led many local volunteer events, and is a part of the Westminster Triangle Neighborhood Leadership Committee. With his 25 years as a mental health professional, he has also assisted countless King County residents through his work and truly cares for those around him.

I would also like to note that David Chen has withdrawn from the election as he has moved out of state, and therefore should not be considered as a competing candidate.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration of my support of John Ramsdell for Shoreline City Council.

Michelle Williford
Shoreline


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Letter to the Editor: Shoreline's out of date tree codes are contributing to tree canopy decline

Thursday, October 21, 2021

To the Editor:

Shoreline is already behind in goals to reduce carbon emissions by 2030. While the city asks for individual citizens to do their part to combat climate issues, the city’s out-of-date tree codes are contributing to continued tree canopy decline and rising heat islands in our area.
 
Trees, especially mature trees, are a free, proven, and viable technology in reducing carbon emissions that work harder and smarter as they age and mature. Retaining these powerhouses of carbon sequestering needs to be an integral part of the conversation around apartment building expansion in Shoreline.
 
With more apartment homes being built in Shoreline, there will be more cars. This year the Seattle Times reported that Seattle ranks second in car ownership per capita at 610 cars owned per 1,000 residents with higher ownership in the surrounding neighborhoods. While there are rental households that are car-less, renter households that have one or more cars are increasing.
 
One car driving about 31 miles a day emits approximately 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Shoreline will be adding (conservatively) 2,200 apartment units in the next couple of years. At one car per unit, the increase of CO2 produced from Shoreline rental apartment households will skyrocket to 10,120 metric tons per year.
 
Before COVID-19, Shoreline’s plans for carbon reduction relied on people using public transportation. However, ridership for King County metro has decreased by 71.5% from last year with more people working from home. 
 
To meet Shoreline’s climate goals, the city needs to leverage technology that is already viable, like trees. Updating tree codes to reflect the current climate we are in ensures everyone is able to continue to benefit from Shoreline’s mature trees while supporting city growth.

Rebecca Jones
Seattle (former Shoreline resident)


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Letter to the Editor: The importance of this year’s LFP City Council elections

Sunday, October 17, 2021

To the Editor:

The elections for LFP City Council this fall are unusual for our town because there are three open seats. Two years from now the other three council seats will be up for reelection and may be open seats. The importance of all this is that candidates who are elected this year will have a significant impact in determining the future of this city.

My experience over the last 25 years working with numerous city council members, mayors and commissioners, is that those who have served on the various city volunteer commissions, especially the Planning Commission, are often well-prepared to becoming a city council member. They have an understanding of all the issues facing this city and how the legislative process works.

Washington State mandates that cities have a volunteer Planning Commission appointed by the mayor. The role of a Planning Commission is to act as an advisory group to the City Council on issues of planning, land use regulation, and community development. Commissioners are charged with reaching out to the community, working collaboratively to reach consensus for their recommendations. These experiences cultivate the essential skills to be effective in policy development.

Of the 6 candidates running for the three empty seats this year, two have provided years of volunteer service to our community including being members and chairs of the Planning Commission.

Those candidates are Maddy Larson and Jon Lebo. Without hesitation I have endorsed Maddy and Jon and it is my pleasure to provide this recommendation of them to you. You will find more detailed information about each of them on their websites:

Maddy4lfp.com and Lebo4lfp.com

I hope you will join me in electing both Maddy Larson and Jon Lebo to our LFP City Council. Their experiences and skills will provide you with exemplary leaders on our City Council.

Don Fiene
Former City Council Member 2005-2013



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Letter to the Editor: Representation Matters – Nate Herzog

Saturday, October 16, 2021

To the Editor: 
 
As of January 1, at least 4 of 5 Northshore Fire Commissioners will be Kenmore residents.
 
As of January 1, there will be 3 Northshore Fire Commissioners who are fire service professionals.
 
Having served with Nate Herzog on the Lake Forest Park City Council for 8 years, I wholeheartedly support him for Northshore Fire Commissioner, Position 5. Nate would provide representation for Lake Forest Park residents and bring a “civilian” perspective for matters coming before the board.
 
As the Board of Commissioners navigates its way through issues of contracting, it is vital that there is an experienced elected official participating in addressing the critical matters involved. Nate is that person. His policy and budget experience would be a valuable asset to the board.
 
Carolyn Armanini
Former Northshore Fire Commissioner
Former Lake Forest Park City Councilmember



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Letter to the Editor: New Protective Tree Code Amendments needed NOW

Friday, October 15, 2021

To the Editor:

I am very concerned about the loss of tree canopy in Shoreline and the ultimate implications for our entire community. 

A hopeful event happened on October 7, 2021 when a dedicated group of Shoreline residents presented new protective tree code amendments to the Shoreline Planning Commissioners.

First a wakeup call. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2021 report is available for all to read. “The IPCC's climate change report is 'code red for humanity,'” says UN secretary-general. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg states, “The climate crisis is not going away. It’s only escalating, and it’s only growing more intense by the hour.”

We are in serious trouble. We need visionary policymakers—it’s no longer business as usual with current city codes for trees, sidewalks, and buildings.

Our cities faced unprecedented heatwaves last summer that caused 112 deaths in our state. Vital information on importance of trees to lessen heatwave impacts and heat-island effects had previously been sent to Shoreline city staff. Instead of rallying behind the best science, Shoreline city staff denied most of these new tree code recommendations that save trees.

The Planning Commission has the opportunity to change the trajectory the city staff continues to pursue for Shoreline that allows far too many trees to be destroyed for development. 

The Planning Commissioners can be the visionary policy makers who do not ignore implications of climate emergency and advocate tree codes and design that incorporates existing tree habitat into the landscape of a building project; these commissioners could advise against the continued destruction of our trees in such an ignorant hubristic manner. 

Trees and development can coexist with informed leadership to guide the way. The new tree code amendments are so needed now to protect our climate fighting heroes – our significant and mature trees.

Nancy Morris
Shoreline


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Letter to the Editor: Tracy Furutani for LFP Council

Letter to the Editor: 

There are tough choices for voters on the Lake Forest Park City Council ballot this November between smart, qualified candidates. For me, one clear standout is Tracy Furutani.

As a professor at Seattle North College his classes include physics and environmental science, with emphasis on climate change. He is also a Fulbright Scholar, recently teaching physics at Amur State University in Russia.

Tracy is a long-time resident of Lake Forest Park with strong civic involvement, bringing his scientific perspective and knowledge to bear on matters of concern to our City. Tracy serves as an advisor to the Lake Forest Park Water District and is a founding member of the LFP chapter of People for Climate Action, working to develop educational materials and programs to help reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. 

He is a member of The LFP Stewardship Foundation’s Streamkeepers program, where he brings greater accuracy and rigor to monitoring and understanding the quality of the water in our streams. He is also a member of the Shorelake Arts board of directors.

Tracy has impressed me as being very well versed on a broad range of local government issues, frequently commenting on matters before the City Council, and reporting to the community about City Council meetings through the Shoreline Area News.

I’ve worked with Tracy on many projects, and have always appreciated those experiences. Tracy is collaborative, respectful of other opinions and willing to take on the detailed tasks that move projects ahead. I am very excited about the opportunity we have to put his insight, good judgement and energy to work on the City Council.

Mark Phillips
Lake Forest Park Councilmember


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Letter to the Editor: Please vote YES on Prop 1 in Lake Forest Park

Thursday, October 14, 2021

To the Editor:

If you live in Lake Forest Park, you’ve seen them all over: signs claiming that the levy funding sidewalks and parks (Proposition 1) is a “61% percent increase… FOREVER.” If you, like me, are a homeowner on a tight budget with a property-tax bill of $6,000+, that sounds scary – maybe scary enough to make you forget that you support improving sidewalks and parks, right?

Let’s get real. The proposed increase is only on LFP city taxes, currently less than $1 per $1,000, or 0.1%, which funds all city services, from police to administration to infrastructure. The proposed levy lifts that to $1.59 per 1,000. The median property owner’s taxes will increase by less than $400 annually, or about a dollar a day. That money pays for urgently needed improvements to sidewalks and crosswalks to keep children safe while walking to school, and for the maintenance and development of city parks. This also includes the potential to design and develop a new public community park on recently acquired waterfront property in the heart of town.

These are amenities and improvements that many of us strongly support – but they cost money, and won’t happen unless we are willing to pay for it. As for the tax increase lasting “forever” -- well, what of it? We won’t stop needing parks and sidewalks after a one-time fee is paid. Why make parks and pedestrian safety into second-tier priorities, funded only on a temporary project-by-project basis, while paying annual taxes for everything else the city does?

A “No” vote on Prop 1 is not actually a vote for a “better way” to do the projects – it’s just a path to more stalling to keep taxes low and prevent anything getting done. I hope you will join me in voting “YES” on Proposition 1.

Robert Anderson
Lake Forest Park



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Letter to the Editor: Please vote NO on Prop 1

Friday, October 8, 2021

To the Editor:

We are the Neighbors for a Sustainable LFP. We are for improved parks, safe streets and pedestrian walkways, but we are opposed to the way LFP is trying to fund the improvements with Prop 1: it is permanent, excessive, and restrictive. Our team has been actively following the City's plans for these projects for over 4 years, researching meeting transcripts, and attending community input sessions to be as informed as possible. As a non-partisan, resident-based citizen group, we want to ensure that our City remains livable, affordable, and sustainable.

We urge you to vote NO on Prop 1 because 1) The proposed tax increase goes on FOREVER. All property owners, both residential and commercial, will be subject to the increase, 2) it raises the LFP portion of our property tax 61%— the largest tax increase in our history. This disproportionately penalizes young families and people on fixed incomes, 3) As our community's needs and priorities evolve over time, Prop 1's funds cannot be spent on emerging issues such as community services, homelessness, crime, traffic, infrastructure improvements, or climate change, 4) There is no plan— it will only be created IF Prop 1 is approved, with NO requirement for ANY public input or approval, and 5) Prop 1 gives City Council free reign to undertake significant projects with NO community input or approval.

There is a better way. Our City Council CAN produce a clearly identified plan— with detailed project descriptions, estimated costs, timelines, and coordination with other community priorities. Our citizens can then provide input and approval of project priorities and appropriate costs.

Please vote NO. Our goal is to encourage, support, and promote the most responsible and effective decisions to improve parks and road safety for Lake Forest Park citizens. Please see www.abetterwaylfp.org for additional information.

Stephen Plusch, Chair, Neighbors for a sustainable LFP



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Letter to the Editor: The council vote on Lake Forest Park Proposition 1 was not unanimous

Thursday, October 7, 2021

To the Editor:
 
I have heard claims that Lake Forest Park Proposition 1 had the unanimous support in its current form by all members of the Lake Forest Park City Council. 

I’m writing to you today to set the record straight. 

While I support the intent of Proposition 1, I have serious concerns about the perpetual nature of the proposed tax. I believe that ensuring citizens regular reviews of spending programs of ANY type are a fundamental responsibility of representative Democracy that should never be abdicated by voters. 

The electorate should always have the ability to re-authorize spending if they feel that their money is being well spent, or allow it to sunset if they feel that they are not getting good value. By authorizing a tax that never ends and never needs reauthorization, the voters are giving up their authority and responsibility – essentially their ‘say’ in how things are done, and once that happens your government can do whatever it pleases regardless of what voters want.
 
For this reason I would not have supported the current LFP Proposition 1 ballot measure. 

During the meeting where the measure was authorized for the ballot, I was travelling and unable to connect and participate in the meeting or have an opportunity to vote. While it may have received unanimous support from those councilmembers present at the meeting, it did not have unanimous support among all Councilmembers. 

I support the idea, but I believe that there’s a better way with a tax that sunsets and needs to be reauthorized at least every 8 years. 

Very respectfully, 
John Wright Councilmember,
Lake Forest Park City Council 



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Letter to the Editor: Stop constructing buildings that use fossil fuels

Saturday, September 25, 2021

To the Editor:

Since moving to Shoreline, Washington, I’ve witnessed climate change impacts from heat waves to “snowpocalypse.” Our inevitably hotter summers has me worried for greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and public safety in our community.
  
The people most at risk of heat-related health impacts are low income residents, particularly those who are bedridden or unable to access cooling centers, who don’t have air conditioning where they live. Keeping the most vulnerable people safe means air conditioning is a necessity when building new homes.

Luckily, electric heat pumps, which provide heating and air conditioning together, are much more efficient than gas-powered air conditioners. Using heat pumps can reduce energy use for heating and cooling homes by up to 50% or more, which means less strain on the grid and lower energy costs. Plus, an all-electric home has 93% lower carbon emissions than a home with natural gas appliances.
  
Buildings that use fossil fuels like natural gas for space and water heating are both the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gas emissions and the primary source of pollution-related deaths in Washington state. In 2017, outdoor air pollution from burning fossil fuels in buildings led to an estimated 559 early deaths and $6.266 billion in health costs. 

This impacts Black, Latinx, and Asian people, as well as low-income communities, who now have higher risks of death from particle pollution due to racist policies which pushed communities of color to live in places with greater exposure to air pollution.

We have the power to stop making this problem worse. We can stop constructing buildings which use fossil fuels. I’m thrilled to see my Shoreline City Council lead on this issue and I urge them to pass an ordinance this year to begin phasing out the use of fossil gas in new construction projects.

Ariana Rundquist Ylvisaker
Shoreline


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Letter to the Editor: The Aurora burglar was NOT from Camp United We Stand

Sunday, August 29, 2021

To the Editor:

Thank you for your news coverage of the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park areas.

Your August 28 issue contained the news that Shoreline Police had arrested a person responsible for the series of burglaries along Aurora Avenue that have occurred during the past several months. 

The culprit was identified as being a resident of a north end homeless encampment. Lest there be any misinformation or confusion, it needs to be pointed out that this individual was not a resident of Camp United We Stand, a sanctioned homeless encampment that has been permitted in Shoreline and North Seattle for the past 8 years to use various church parking lots. 

Camp United We Stand works hard to maintain good relations with neighbors and host churches and does not want the activities of one (or more) homeless individuals to detract from its effort to provide shelter for its residents.

John Thielke
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: Our Human Crisis

Friday, August 20, 2021

To the Editor:

It is disappointing, revolting and sad beyond words that the crisis we are facing on this beautiful planet  has been misnamed in order to make it look natural, like our planet is doing it to us but this is far from the truth. Our Mothering planet is reacting to us What if your children were overflowing water in the tub, or swallowing  drano to see what it tasted like … or setting fire to your home. You would react.  Earth is reacting but can only react to these problems we’ve created with extremes, like earthquakes, hurricanes, flash floods, drought and pandemics.
  
Look at a photo of our planetary home from space …  at night …  to see how we as humans have overwhelmed other life forms. Artificial light is everywhere!. Huge forests have been cut down and replanted with no idea of how Trees and plants communicate underground and create sustaining life.  Concrete covers too much Soil, the element naturally allowing Earth to breathe wholeness. We can not live without water but humans haven’t figured out how to create this Life sustaining element.
Humans seem to prefer human creations.

Here in Shoreline our city wants to be called Green and pretends that it cares about the changes happening as they give developers permission to cut down more and more Trees. They say we expect developers to replace those elder Trees with even more Trees. But the elder Trees create shade now and store carbon, the baby Trees being planted won't create shade which lowers temperatures, nor store carbon, as developers race to build more condos or apartments They will not protect our current environment for probably 30 years.   Who will protect the children?

Isis Charest
Shoreline
author of Awakening Earth Chronicles



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Letter to the Editor: Urge the City to retain trees at the 198th Project site

Thursday, August 19, 2021

To the Editor:

The City of Shoreline, King County and Catholic Housing Services are in a partnership to build an affordable housing project on three land parcels at 19806 Aurora Ave N, 19804 Aurora Ave N and 1116 N 198th St. The City owns the land and is entering a 99 year ground lease with Catholic Housing Services. A 100-unit apartment complex with supportive services will be constructed on these land parcels. The combined properties have two zoning codes, MB (mixed business) and R-48. 

There are 14 significant trees on the combined properties. All the trees, but two, are permitted to be removed. Four groups (1) Friends of Echo Lake, (2) Echo Lake Waterfront Condominium residents, (3) Echo Lake residents, and (4) Save Shoreline Trees are trying to prevent the potential loss of these tall mature conifers and native trees by submitting written comments to Applicant’s filed responses to its SEPA checklist, citing misinformation or incompleteness. 

All the groups are urging the City to take an active role in the development of this Project to retain more of the trees because of their role in fighting climate change, heat island effects and the potential loss of habitat for resident aquatic wildlife and birds. Public comments can be emailed to the City project manager, Elise Keim (elise.keim@shorelinewa.gov) or for more information, email Ann Michel of Friends of Echo Lake.

Susanne Tsoming
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: Why were 34+ trees cut down on N 160th this month?

To the Editor:

Why, when the City commissioned a Climate Resiliency Study and a strategy to be resilient in the climate crisis was to preserve existing conifers? When the large conifers remove tons of carbon dioxide from the air and deciduous replacement trees can't ever do as much?

Why, when the City committed to reduce greenhouse emissions and for every ton of cement produced for sidewalks nearly one ton of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere?

Why, when equity is a goal for the City and the canopy is inequitably distributed and becoming more so, were 8-foot wide sidewalks required necessitating more tree removal? Why, with the Shoreline's heat islands and accompanying health issues?

Why are 8-foot wide sidewalks better than 6-foot in an area where use will be limited since there is nothing along the WSDOT property that will draw walkers even with the development down toward Aurora--no beauty or interest or, for a long time, shade.

Why is there no transparent process for mediating the need to preserve Shoreline's natural environment for the health of us all with the needs for safe transportation and pathways. The city refused to accept WSDOT's proposal to save the trees on N 160th with new 6-foot wide sidewalks. City officials have said the reason for 8-foot wide sidewalks is that this is the "best practice" for persons with disabilities. Of course meet ADA requirements of 4 feet wide, but why does that 8-foot wide sidewalk preferred by the City "best practice" trump preserving the trees for residents?

Beyond N 160th -- Why was there no transparency about the width of sidewalks in the sidewalk initiative? Why has the sidewalk width for Single Family Residential now been changed from 5 to 6 feet without our knowledge?

Barbara Johnstone
Shoreline
Tree Preservation Code Team



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