Take a careful read of the letter dated August 24, 2021 to Secretary Millar of the Washington State Department of Transportation. Our lawmakers are asking Secretary Millar to protect the 5-acre tract that is state owned property which has been deemed to be a mitigation site in perpetuity. The Ambleside developer wants a stormwater deviation waiver which would permanently damage this property, the buffers, critical areas and Silver Lake Creek which has once more been confirmed as a Type 4 salmonid fish bearing creek!  Our lawmakers are asking WSDOT to specifically deny the developer’s request for this stormwater deviation/waiver. As you will see as early as April 5, 2002 it was PDS who stated:   

• The proposal aims to provide storm water detention by the creation of a floodplain/wetland complex along Silver Lake Outlet Creek. The creation of wetland within the proposed floodplain is intended to mitigate impacts to wetlands as a direct result of the road widening. In addition to storm water detention, components of the project aim to improve fish habitat through the installation of in-stream habitat features and the enhancement of riparian corridor with native vegetation.

How is it that our state government would even consider a request by a private developer that would result in the destruction of a wetland with a flood plain that was intended to mitigate impacts to wetlands destroyed by previous destruction?

Silver Lake Creek extends all the way from Silver Lake to the entire north end of the WSDOT property and over the north ends of two private properties and empties into Ruggs Lake. This eventually goes all the way to Lake Washington. All of this is an essential part of the watershed, waterways, fisheries, habitat and environment. It doesn’t look like Secretary Millar and WSDOT have responded yet. In the meantime if you agree that this public property should be protected as a mitigation zone in perpetuity as intended for the people of Snohomish County and Washington state please make your opinion known.  Here is the contact information for PDS:  425-388-3311 or https://snohomishcountywa.gov/Directory.aspx?DID=111    ref: Ambleside SFDU, PFN: 19-115780 SPA

and

WSDOT 360-705-7054 or MillarR@wsdot.wa.gov ref: WSDOT property 12704 25th Ave SE, Everett WA - denial of the Ambleside deviation/waiver request on the mitigation site to be held in perpetuity.

PDS and WSDOT were on notice that this creek was fish bearing as early as 2001. Rest assured that the Silver Lake Creek, a Type 4 salmonid stream is being properly registered with the appropriate mapping and government agencies once and for all.

Let our state lawmakers know you appreciate what they’re doing for our neighborhoods and county!  John.Lovick@leg.wa.gov;  Emily.wicks@leg.wa.gov; april.berg@leg.wa.gov