On April 24, The Herald published a letter expressing opinions that are contrary to fact (“Shoreline management: council made citizens feel unwelcome”). I write to correct one of the inaccurate statements. Reasonable people can differ as to whether or not enough is being done to address environmental protection. However, to suggest there is absolutely no provision for habitat conservation in Everett’s recently adopted shoreline master program is simply not correct.
The city of Everett was the first jurisdiction in Snohomish County to adopt critical areas protection measures in 1989 – before the Growth Management Act requirements. The Everett Planning Department took the lead in developing scientifically based resource management planning for the Snohomish estuary in 1993 – before there was a listing of fish species under the Endangered Species Act. The city worked cooperatively with the Washington State Department of Ecology, Community Development, and Fish and Wildlife, as well as the federal EPA and Corps of Engineers, Snohomish County, Port of Everett, and the Tulalip Tribes to develop a scientifically based resource inventory for the lower 12,000 acres of the Snohomish River.
In 1995, we published the first Snohomish Estuary Wetland Integration Plan inventory (SEWIP). In 1997, we published the SEWIP update and management plans. With the adoption of our shoreline master program, we have published the “SEWIP Salmon Overlay” that specifically looks at salmon and bull trout habitat and the life cycle needs of these fish in the estuary. I believe Everett is the first jurisdiction to adopt a shoreline master program under the Department of Ecology’s new rules requiring substantially greater protection of sensitive environmental resources. This program also identifies areas with the greatest potential for fish habitat restoration.
In addition to the inventory work and protection designations, the new shoreline master program contains a project review procedure patterned after the procedures used by National Marine Fisheries Service. This procedure requires projects within the shoreline jurisdiction to undergo a biological evaluation, and, if necessary, a biological assessment to reduce or eliminate the harmful effects on fish habitat.
There are other environmental protection measures in the city’s shoreline program and regulatory structures too numerous to describe in a short letter. Misinformation does not add value to public disclosure on issues.
City of Everett Planning Department
Everett
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