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In loving memory of J35 Tahlequah's daughter, J61, we ask the Seattle City Council to follow the recommendations in the NOAA Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery Plan and not increase polluted runoff by removing even more mature trees in the One Seattle Plan. The King County DNRP, EPA, and the USDA agree that mature trees reduce and filter stormwater runoff.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement did NOT mention orcas or killer whales once in the entire document, saying "the only ESA listed or State listed species known or expected to use Seattle as habitat are fish" which excludes our critically endangered orcas and some bird species. They've now added language stating they will not attempt to maintain animal populations at levels from the past. 

Trees reduce and filter polluted runoff yet the One Seattle Plan EIS doesn’t calculate the additional runoff that will be caused by a marked uptick in tree removals. The King County DNRP, EPA, and the USDA agree that mature trees reduce and filter stormwater runoff. The stormwater no longer being absorbed by these trees removed needs to be calculated. Neighboring city, Shoreline, found 227 million gallons of stormwater was prevented by their urban canopy, saving the city over 2 million annually. Seattle's 2024 legally removed private property trees alone were absorbing 5/4 million gallons of stormwater annually. Building can occur in ways that preserve trees. Trees are nature's free air/water filters and coolers. 

Pollution is one of the top three threats in NOAA’s SRKW Recovery Plan which recommends highest population Puget Sound cities to take greater measures to reduce polluted runoff. 

Many storm drains in Seattle go untreated into the sound. Seattle’s only large scale sewer treatment plant, Westpoint, does not remove all toxic chemicals before treated sewage flows into Puget Sound. 

The One Seattle Plan goes significantly further than the state middle housing bill, HB 1110, requires. The City of Portland, OR found that trees over 20" diameter provided over 59% of the ecological benefits despite only representing 13% of the total canopy. Building can and should occur while preserving our ecological superheros, mature trees. 

These beloved giants are telling us through their rising deaths that they cannot handle any more human made obstacles. What is good for orcas is good for us. Join our email list, visit our website, donate to our legal fund, and follow us on instagram.

More info: 

• New Study Shows Deregulation Does Not Reduce Housing Prices
• https://www.arborday.org/perspectives/wait-killer-whales-need-trees#:~:text=Trees%20for%20the%20salmon%2C%20salmon%20for%20the%20orcas&text=With%20more%20riverbank%20tree%20cover,salmon%20populations%20in%20the%20area