November 2006
From: Discovery Park Advisory Council
Re: U.S. Army Reserve Parcel
To: Mayor Nickels:
The Discovery Park Advisory Council (DPAC) would like to express our views regarding future development of the U.S. Army Reserve Parcel, which lies between Discovery Park and Kiwanis Ravine. We hope these proposals will be supported by the Friends of Discovery Park, the Magnolia Community Club, Heron Habitat Helpers, Sustainable Ballard, and other local stakeholders.
The Army Reserve Parcel is located strategically between Discovery Park and Kiwanis Ravine, separating two of the City’s most important wildlife reservoirs. The divestiture of Army Reserve ownership provides an unprecedented opportunity to link these two reserves.
The Army Reserve Parcel also contributes significantly to the watershed of Wolfe Creek in Kiwanis Ravine and Salmon Bay. Salmon Bay is a vital regional salmon habitat. This potential change in ownership opens the door to possible reductions in contaminated surface runoff (oils and other wastes) into the Wolfe Creek watershed -- and improve the overall water quality of the Salmon Bay estuary for migrating salmon.
Within the context of your Green Seattle Partnership initiated last year and your just-announced draft Urban Forest Management Plan, we believe that strong City advocacy is needed to protect this Parcel, which contains lands within the City’s designated “critical area ordinance” for 40% or more steep slope, potential slide area, and fish and wildlife habitat. In addition, this Parcel contains lands included in a draft-in-process Department of Planning & Development Director’s Rule establishing the Kiwanis Ravine Great Blue Heron Management Area.
Because of its value to wildlife, DPAC urges the designation of a City-sanctioned wildlife corridor, to include the Army Reserve, the privately owned areas between Kiwanis Ravine and Discovery Park and Bay Terrace Road. This special wildlife corridor designation would enhance the ability of fish and wildlife to utilize the greater Salmon Bay/Kiwanis Ravine/Discovery Park Ecosystem.
We therefore propose the following:
1) The City of Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation should seek and obtain legal title to all unused open space, green belts, fences, medians, parking strips, and forested areas as well as any potential future open space which might be designated in the Army Reserve Parcel.
2) Any existing buildings or pavement not currently used should be removed and converted to open space. This is especially true of the large parking lot in the extreme NE corner of the property, which covers a relatively steep slope with surface runoff into Kiwanis Ravine.
3) All landscaping within the Army Preserve Parcel be native plantings only. Specifically, we urge the planting of future nesting trees for the great blue herons of Kiwanis Ravine. Make this corridor a showcase of your draft Urban Forest Management Plan.
4) Any new uses of the Army Reserve Parcel should not be allowed to impact Discovery Park or Kiwanis Ravine more than current use. As an example, the number of vehicles entering the parcel, noise, lighting, pets off leash, etc. should not increase as a result of change in ownership or use.
5) All exterior lighting in the Army Reserve Parcel should be wildlife friendly and minimize night time light pollution, with full cut-off fixtures and the light source fully shielded.
6) Any exterior construction activities occurring within the Army Reserve Parcel be restricted to seasons not in conflict with the nesting season of either the Great Blue Herons of Kiwanis Ravine or Bald Eagles using the Discovery Park peninsula for nesting. In addition, the developers of any proposed construction in the Parcel would be required to submit an Environmental Impact Statement, prior to issuance of a building permit, detailing how their construction will not harm wildlife.
7) All trees 6 inches in diameter measured at 4 ½ feet above the ground shall be retained within this corridor, unless the tree is diseased or threatens life or property. This would significantly increase the tree canopy in the Discovery Park/Kiwanis Ravine/Salmon Bay Wildlife Corridor and improve ability of wildlife to move through the area.
8) Exteriors of any new construction or changes to existing buildings be designed so as not to attract, increase or cause flying birds to collide with the structure.
We also believe the City should support improvements in the Discovery Park/Kiwanis Ravine/Salmon Bay ecosystem by: (a) establishing Kiwanis Ravine as the City’s first official nature preserve, wildlife refuge, or similar name with special regulations protecting the Great Blue Heron nesting season, (b) taking steps to initiate the daylighting of Wolfe Creek through Commodore Park into Salmon Bay – reconnecting this watershed and its freshwater estuary to aid the migration of millions of salmon, and (c) linking management of the entire complex – the two parks, the wildlife corridor, and daylighted Wolfe Creek in Commodore Park.
We understand the challenges that this represents and urge you to support the greater Discovery Park Ecosystem. This is an historic opportunity for all citizens of Seattle. We are confident of your support.
Sincerely - The Discovery Park Advisory Council
CC: Seattle City Council members
Ron Sims
Larry Phillips
Christine Gregoire
Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles
Jim McDermott
Norm Dicks
Senator Patty Murray
Senator Maria Cantwell
Rep. Helen Sommers
Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson
Phil Lane – UIATF
Paul Thompson – Friends of Discovery Park
Magnolia Community Council
Sustainable Ballard
Heron Habitat Helpers
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