Thank you for raising your voices for the SRKWs in the faulty EIS, EIS Addendum, and SEPA Categorical Exemption Threshold Updates. 577 people clicked on the pre-written Addendum email link so far! Good news - we have a new K pod baby orca in the last week and J pod came into town this afternoon. We filed our reply brief December 10th.

Collaborative Analysis with Ruth Williams of the Thornton Creek Alliance.

Concerns on Resolution 32183 version 2: 

• Creates multiple open ended "escape hatches" for developers to modify and increase development and impervious surfaces after the Comp Plan is implemented. 
• Most of the language is not enforceable. Words like: should, intends, encourages, "including but not limited to." 
• Continues to propagate trickle down housing economics. They say they'll increase housing supply "including but not limited to" Duplexes, triplexes, stacked flats, ADUs yet leaving out the developer's choice, luxury Single Family Homes. 

Zooming in:  

1.B They don't mention the low income housing requested by the Department of Commerce in their Comp Plan review letters.  

1.D says the plan advances our climate goals, reducing dependence on cars, yet none of the alternatives showed a reduced vehicle dependency in the EIS. This plan will remove more climate protective trees. 1.E the only place where "Community-driven" planning is mentioned

2.A.2,4 removes ADUs from Floor Area (FAR) calculations and maximum density regulations which will increase impervious surfaces (lot sprawl).  

2.B adds ECA into density calculations = more footprint in the rest of the lot. 2.C allows flexibility in designation of Transit service area level which opens the door to developer choice in more areas  

2.E is unlikely to result in meaningful positive change.  

2.E.2: Tier 1 trees are currently not well protected in development sites. However, this language says they will also protect development sites which should be changed to say protect tier 1 trees especially on development sites.  

2.G Could set precedent to charge penalties for not developing or redeveloping.  

2.J elimination or reduction in amenity areas which could reduce green space. (Grammar: "conduct SEPA and")

3. A-D opens the door for developers to change as needed.

Public Comment in person and remote takes place Dec 16th. If you can't attend in person or remotely, please email council@seattle.gov or use this customizable link.

My heart breaks for the last 74 critically endangered orcas as we see Seattle not only ignore the NOAA SRKW Recovery Plan Guidelines, they are actively planning to increase impervious surfaces which do not filter, reduce, or cool polluted runoff before it washes down storm drains citywide. This harms endangered orcas and the salmon they rely on. Seattle, the largest city on Puget Sound, has a huge impact on water quality with many storm drain systems that go untreated into the sound. This is a move to deregulate environmental protections and allow those who profit most from development to avoid environmental rules for the next 20 years.  Please share!