The Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek Forum could be a shining example of democratic process — representatives of affected cities and counties coming together to solve a complex water quality/quantity problem. However, we feel that the forum has not been adhering to the public meeting laws of Washington state, which require, among other things, providing time at each meeting for public input.
We were not given the opportunity to present our concerns at the last forum meeting (Edmonds City Hall on Jan. 27). Also, several Lake Ballinger residents who attempted to ask questions during the course of the meeting were cut off. Theirs and our opinions may differ on what should be done concerning Lake Ballinger, but they (and we) have a right to be heard.
In order for the forum to succeed in solving the problems presented by the current Lake Ballinger polluted stormwater situation, as well as (according to the forum) be a model for others who need to address complex multi-jurisdictional watershed issues (as well as, in most cases, comply with funding source requirements), public input is vital.
Naturally, public input should not overwhelm meeting productivity. However, citizen experts, environmental groups and stakeholders have been denied the opportunity to contribute valuable expertise for early consideration of such things as low cost environmental alternatives/solutions, that the lake levels established in the 1982 Snohomish County Superior Court Order were not iron clad (the Court Order allows the lake to reach its natural pre-historic lake level one year out of five — on average) and pointing out risks that the forum members have not considered.
Jim Halliday and Tyson Greer
Lake Forest Park
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