It’s not too late!

We have a housing crisis and are required to provide additional housing which includes smaller options such as cottages, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, and apartments. These housing types may not provide the profits that the developers prefer, but they provide more affordable options.

Using the best available science, the Washington state Department of Ecology develops straightforward guidelines that protect and mitigate the effects of encroachment on wetlands, creeks and streams. Ecology’s buffer recommendations are based on a moderate-risk approach to protecting wetland functions. This means that by adopting Ecology’s recommendations, there is still a moderate risk that wetland functions will be impacted. Adopting narrower buffers represents a higher-risk approach.

A choice will be made.

On one side, the Snohomish Wetlands Ecology Specialist, Snohomish County Planner, state Department of Natural Resources, Audubon Society and Tulalip Tribes are all stressing upholding the buffer protections that preserve our natural environment, before it is too late.

On the other side we have Master Builders applying pressure on our cities and couties to narrow the buffers and take the higher-risk approach, regardless of the outcome.

This choice matters! We are already seeing a steady loss of habitat and a decrease of salmon, birds, bees, etc. It matters because a high-risk approach means that once our fragile ecosystems are infringed upon and destroyed, the species dependent upon them are gone.

Let’s stick with the moderate risk approach that balances development while protecting the environment. Gone means gone, and then it’s too late.

Cathy Wooten

Stanwood