Petition updateOppose rezoning our neighborhood to industrial Business over 264 homes in Boulevard Park

Environmental impact of our Neighborhood’s underground Critical Aquifer Recharge Area

Hera WonBurien, WA, United States
29 May 2026 — Subject: Continuity of stream regulation within NERA, North of NERA, and Boulevard Park  Dear Members of the Planning Commission, City Council, and City Staff: I want to remind that the City already has notice of hydrologic information relevant to the North of NERA rezone area. An Otak hydrology study from 2021 identified a Type Ns stream, classified as Waters of the State, connected to Miller Creek, where ongoing salmon restoration efforts are taking place downstream. Otak recommended conveyance improvements intended to reduce flooding impacts to nearby residences while balancing environmental protections. In addition, sewer was partially funded by Department of Ecology upstream due to high levels of fecal coliform from septic systems located near this stream and its associated wetlands. My concern is that the current planning process appears to rely on outdated critical areas mapping and permitting processes are only acknowledging stream reaches still visibly exposed today, while excluding connected reaches that were historically filled or culverted. Under Washington law, culverts and buried channels do not necessarily extinguish streams or their ecological function, especially where they remain hydrologically connected to downstream salmon habitat. If upstream wetlands and tributaries are recognized as connected to the Miller Creek system, then there should be a scientifically defensible basis for excluding the intervening connected reaches within the proposed industrial rezone area. Before any industrial or similar rezone is finalized, I respectfully ask: 1. Ensure that the Otak hydrology findings are formally incorporated into the record 2. Critical areas mapping is updated using best available science 3. Regulatory concurrence with appropriate state departments and local tribes be established or sought 4. An environmental review with involvement from experts and relevant entities fully evaluates hydrologic connectivity and downstream habitat impacts 5. The Comprehensive Plan be returned to the docket for an amendment, so that it is possible to amend its language and ensure that the North of NERA area loses any proposed “industrial” classification to protect this critical watershed In conclusion, the facts presented to the City of Burien here and in prior correspondence and public comment are grounds for a revisit of rezoning proposals and OTAK recommendations. I urge the City of Burien to collaborate with relevant jurisdictions to extend recent vital salmon restoration efforts upstream to North of NERA where the Miller Creek tributary(s) presently and historically exist. Please review the following links related to Miller Creek restoration efforts within NERA: Miller Creek restoration project connects regional habitat in Burien and SeaTac - The B-Town (Burien) Blog b-townblog.com Washington State River Restoration Project to Revive Salmon Habitat, Support Local Jobs fisheries.noaa.gov Port of Seattle Finalizes $800,000 in Funding for Miller Creek Restoration portseattle.org City of Burien Celebrates Completion of Miller Creek Restoration Project burienwa.gov Which Watershed Do I Live in? burienwa.gov Miller Creek Trail burienwa.gov Miller Creek Restoration otak.com The Miller Creek Daylighting Project otak.com Miller Creek Restoration Project Completed, Enhancing Contiguous Ecosystem and Community Access portseattle.org Mitigation - Washington State Department of Ecology ecology.wa.gov Mitigation Reserves Program - King County, Washington kingcounty.gov Thank you, Your Constituents
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