Let's make sure the Marsh is an important part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan
The update process for the all important 20 year plan for the future of Edmonds has begun. Because the plan "is likely to have a significant adverse impact..” an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required. Comments from the public on what should be in the EIS (called scoping) will be accepted until September 10. The city's Request for Comments document (*see below) has more detail.
Scoping comments are being requested and evaluated now. Following scoping, the EIS itself will be written. It will include the environmental elements identified during this scoping process.
Suggested actions:
1. Please attend one or more of the public feedback events to emphasize the importance of the environment and the Marsh. The meetings listed below have already been held but the city has now scheduled a new set of meetings. You can see the list HERE on the Edmonds Comp plan website.
2. Please submit comments in your own words to the effect that "protecting and restoring the Edmonds Marsh and Unocal property needs to play an important role in City planning”. Other important environmental elements can be emphasized by selecting some or all from the list below. Comments can be submitted by emailing compplanupdate@edmonds.wa.us.
Environmental Elements
A comprehensive EIS would include evaluations of all significant impacts to and from these environmental elements. Comments can focus on what is important to the writer.
1. Designated critical areas - including streams, wetlands, wetland buffers, aquifers, floodplains, geologic hazards, and fish and wildlife habitat. These critical area designations need to be updated using the latest available data.
2. Climate change - including sea level rise, greenhouse gas emissions, air and water temperatures, and carbon sequestration.
3. Watersheds - including impervious surface coverage, stormwater flow, riparian vegetation, erosion, and fish passage.
4. Culturally significant areas - including traditional use and historically significant locations.
5. Water quality - including road runoff and sewage and stormwater nutrient and toxicant discharge.
6. Marine resources - including shorelines, beaches, estuaries, and Puget Sound.
7. Tree canopy - including vegetation quantity and quality.
For those who wish to comment in more detail this is a link to a document (*** below) that includes examples of specific environmental impacts.
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https://www.edmondswa.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=16495016&pageId=19701243
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https://docs.google.com/document/d/19B1j4rezGaM5if1xUmnitbMvV_mk1uoY/edit