Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 7, Issue 4, April 2003

Copyright 2003 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article and photos below in your research. Be sure to quote the Seattle Sun as your source.

Sand Point plan scrutinized

City Deputy Hearing Examiner Anne Watanabe recently ruled on the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the 65-acre wetland and 15-acre sports field complex at Sand Point/Magnuson Park. The ruling approved most of the environmental mitigations offered by Seattle Parks and Recreation, but faulted the department's analysis of the sports fields' effects on park wildlife.

The proposal, Watanabe wrote, "would result in long-term conversion of wildlife habitat to developed uses."

Friends of Magnuson Park, which had appealed the FEIS, said development would be halted until the City can submit additional plans to mitigate the effects of its proposal.

With more information available, "a more reasoned final decision can be made by the City Council after all of the many adverse impacts of the proposal have been evaluated," said Friends spokesman Douglas Ancona.

The Parks Department also counted Watanabe's ruling as a victory. "We're pleased with the ruling," said Parks Superintendent Ken Bounds. "We welcome the Hearing Examiner's review, and will compile and submit this information as quickly as we can."

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