High ideals held back by limiting only to immediate airport property
Today’s Commission meeting approved the Port’s Land Stewardship Plan. Unfortunately the plan has a glaring defect: it only applies to property on the ‘triple a’, which renders it almost neutered. One member of the public described it as ‘completely insufficient’ and we must agree. Comments from Commissioners indicated that it was neither meant for mitigation or any existing project, which is deeply disappointing.
Good afternoon.
It’s fair to say that the Port of Seattle is not only influential but also a major regional influencer. There are issues where you have direct control, but there many more where you can model best practices for a much wider community. That has been your stated goal on any number of environmental issues.In that regard, we initially had very high hopes for the Land Stewardship Plan. The tree replacement methodology seems well-considered. As far it goes.
But by limiting it to the 1AAA, and not including properties that you own and control outside it, you the opportunity to have a much greater impact.
For example, previous phases of the Des Moines Creek Business Park have experienced the needless loss of hundreds and hundreds of trees. To somewhat compensate, in the upcoming phase, you could apply these new standards and greatly improve on past efforts.
This would be particularly useful given that the property connects with the Des Moines Creek Trail and one of the last bits of true forested area in the region outside of North Seatac Park.
Instead, as with previous phases, you are leaving it to the City of Des Moines, which (and this is awkward to say) has done nothing to prevent the developer from removing all those trees.
We strongly encourage you to amend the Land Stewardship Plan, today, so that it applies to all Port-owned and controlled property–especially the Des Moines Creek Business Park.
Thank you.
1The property immediately surrounding the airfield, referred to as ‘Airport Activity Area’.