2/4/09, UPDATED: Will Redmond Town Center partner with the City on flood protections and salmon preservation?

2nd in a series of opinions on Redmond Town Center.

UPDATED 2/4/2009  You'll find a post 2 days ago trying to understand the relationship between Redmond Town Center and the City. Talk from some neighbors and my review of several city council meetings reveal the city was negotiating with Redmond Town Center for Bear Creek buffer land. It appeared from these talks the city was frustrated with Redmond Town Center and their owner, Macerich REIT.  Its since been learned, the relationship is back on track with hopefully no strings attached by Macerich.

According to Mayor John Marchione: "...Regarding the (Redmond) blog, the City has a very good relationship with Redmond Town Center. We are working together to transfer land buffering Bear Creek to City control. Earlier in the year we approached Macerich for permission to perform survey work on the land in anticipation of the project. There was a delay as attorney’s work on language. But the delay was weeks, not months or years.....  Read More >>

Talk around town - Redmond Town Center

This is the first in a series of opinions on Redmond Town Center.

UPDATED, 12/7: Over a long period of time, I've heard talk of an unsavory relationship between Redmond Town Center (RTC) and the City of Redmond. For the benefit of the Center, the City and our neighborhoods, now may be a time to air the laundry that's been hanging around our town.

By no means do I know all the details, or for that matter the facts. Only a word here and there from my neighbors and recently some muffled emoting and non-specific budget adjusting during a recent Council session. It appears the vitriol between Redmond Town Center (owned by Macerich REIT) and City started years ago during the Ives Administration. What I have heard is the corporate owner and operator of Redmond Town Center -Macerich REIT - didn't want anything to do with the City. I heard the blood was so bad, Macerich REIT didn't want anyone from the City of Redmond on their property. My hope is these rumors are overstated and the relationship between Redmond Town Center and the City has mended. But I wonder...

At this time, rumor has it that Redmond Town Center is demanding **$1,097,000 from the City in exchange for land they own buffering Bear Creek. The City needs the land to restore Bear Creek for flood control and habitat preservation. It is hoped negotiations will bring repair and renewal for all parties. **The latest number is lowered - to the mid-six figures.

Redmond Town Center is owned and operated by Macerich REIT out of Santa Monica, CA. (ticker MAC). They are a one of the largest owner-operators of retail space in the country. Macerich is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with 72 retail centers, 72MM square feet, 3,000 employees. 2007 revenues were $813,272,000 -- not far from a billion. Have you heard of Tyson's Corner Center, VA.? They own it.

Retailers (who depend on us) are having a rough time with this economy. Fortunate for Macerich, Redmond Town Center's 10-year leases expired last year and Redmond Town Center has signed more lucrative tenants with higher lease payments. The City is not raising business taxes this biennium. The bottom line: Redmond Town Center is not hurting, has deep pockets and tax support from the City. Macerich REIT stock was up 4% on Black Friday.

What appears to be hurting is Macerich-RTC's ability to overcome their past problems and renew a positive relationship with the city and neighborhoods that support them.

Redmond Town Center advertises Redmond's Bear Creek natural area as an amenity to attract customers and further their business. The RTC website advertises: "Conforming with the active, outdoor Pacific Northwest lifestyle, the Center is also surrounded by 45 acres of dedicated green space, active salmon-spawning habitat and a regional trail system." Look at RTC's LOGO and you'll see a rendering of Bear Creek! (top of page).

ATTN: REDMOND TOWN CENTER: As our community partner, please dedicate to Redmond and Redmond neighborhoods your portion of the 45 acre buffer to protect the spawning-habitat we all value. Please partner with Redmond to share in the costs of restoring the Bear Creek buffer. Please re-invest your resources back to our community for a better, safer Redmond for shareholder satisfaction.

An excerpt from Macerich's website on social responsibility: "We strive to meet community challenges through a combination of employee volunteerism, financial support, in-kind donations and partnerships with non-profit organizations whose missions are consistent with our own vision and values." We have similar values! Let's work together to save what we cherish.

It is hoped that Mr. Steven Chaffee, Senior Property Manager of Redmond Town Center can help us. Additionally, Redmond Town Center's owner Macerich, must know they built their Center on a 100-year flood plain and will enjoy flood protections from this restoration.

Comments? (Mayor Marchione commented)

CC: Mayor John Marchione, Rob Odle (Dir. of Planning and Development), Nancy McCormick (Council Pres.), Steven Chaffee, Macerich Corporate Headquarters - Executives, Redmond Neighborhood Associations (9), RTC merchants, Chamber of Commerce, Lake Washington School District PTSA members.

OPINION: Much credit goes to Representative Ross Hunter for SR520 - Bear Creek relocation

Last December, the Pacific Northwest experienced a wind and rainstorm of major magnitude; Redmond didn't escape. 50-year plus floods hit our area. The flooding closed Interstate 5 for days. Freight transportation delays and highway repairs cost our State economy $50 Million. Redmond Stormwater Manager Steve Hitch, captured eleven dramatic pictures of the flooding around town . Gary Smith spearheaded the citizen effort with a 1-minute video clip of Bear Creek flooding to within 10 feet of SR 520. ( Click HERE ). Contributing to the problem was the *Washington State Dept. of Transportation (*WSDOT) plan to widen SR 520 by building 4 new lanes into the Bear Creek flood plain! Bear Creek flooding issues were so severe a contingent of city officials traveled to Olympia to ask Representative Ross Hunter, Finance Chair for relief. Councilman Richard Cole spearheaded talks with Representative Hunter. Councilwoman Allen assisted. CM McCormick thanked me copiously for my communications with Ross Hunter. She said CM Cole was shocked by how agreeable Hunter was.  Mayor John Marchione kept the conversations moving forward. Natural Resource Director Jon Spangler estimated $8 Million would be needed to relocate Bear Creek away from the highway. Representative Hunter (48th District) listened and responded!! Ross, a past Microsoft executive, connected with Microsoft to transfer funds from a culvert construction project to the restoration of Bear Creek! Representative Ross Hunter's action and the many who encouraged him, have secured our safety, welfare and quality of life for generations to come. Thank you, Ross! But, to most, much more than public safety & welfare has been preserved. One of the largest populations of Endangered wild Chinock salmon run Bear Creek. After Bear Creek is re-located and the riparian vegetation is restored salmon will have better habitat and protections from WSDOT's caustic highway stormwater run-off. In fact, with empetus from the WRIA-8 watershed council and administrator Jean White, the King Conservation District granted several hundred thousand additional dollars to salmon recovery for this project! Click this page title for the full watershed salmon conservation report. Thank you Representative Ross Hunter for making this all happen! Regardless of party affiliation, you have certainly earned my vote this election year! *I received a flyer in the mail today from the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announcing: "WSDOT is currently working on an agreement with the city of Redmond to contribute $8M towards the Bear Creek relocation project." Well, you now know where and how WSDOT got their funds! 8-16-08

UPDATE: Restoration funding for Lower Bear Creek keeps getting closer! Rep. Ross Hunter indicates his "okay" at recent Town Hall Meeting.

UPDATE: At the 5/20 Town Hall Meeting in City Hall, Rep. Ross Hunter alluded to Endangered salmon and $50M in damages attributed to state road flooding last year. He indicated his okay for a "culvert funding transfer" to pay for mitigating SR 520. Ross deferred us back to Mayor Marchione for the formal announcement.

The impacts of the proposed SR 520 widening to Redmond are huge. Over 14 stories on the subject are recorded in this blog. (search "520").

In short, 4 lanes will be added to SR 520 between Redmond Way and E. Lake Samm. Pkwy. Economic and safety issues from severe flooding and threat to federally Endangered salmon are at stake. $10 million is needed to alter the creek's path away from SR520 and restore the flood plain and salmon habitat. The city can budget only $2M.

GREAT NEWS! According to Terry Lavander, member of the Sammamish-Cedar River "WRIA-8 Salmon Recovery Council", the City of Redmond may soon have the money needed to restore Lower Bear Creek and mitigate flooding. Negotiations are moving forward.

During the May 15, WRIA-8 Salmon Recovery Council meeting, Mayor Marchione told the council-at-large he expected to be able to announce $8 million in funding from the State for restoration within the next two weeks. Coincidentally, State Representative Finance Chair Ross Hunter along with Rep. Deborah Eddy and Senator Rodney Tom held a TOWN HALL MEETING tonight, May 20, 6 PM at Redmond City Hall.

In addtion to the $8 million request for funding from the State, the City of Redmond requested $227,000 from the King County Conservation District. According to Ms. Terry Lavander, $220,000 was awarded by the district for the restoration. Ms. Lavander is also an original member of Water Tenders.

The WRIA-8 Salmon Recovery Council played an important role in facilitating these funding requests. I've attended a couple of their meetings; the council is impressive. Jon Spangler, Redmond Stormwater engineer, is playing a key role implimenting plans. The WRIA-8 council is comprised of mayors, city council members, county council members and 3-4 citizens-at-large from over 20 cities in King County. Under the administration of Jean White, the Council wrote a strong letter to Governor Gregoire to urge funding.

Ms. White alluded to the flood pictures and video clips Redmond citizens took of the severe December 3, 2008 floods. She said citizen flood documentation was important. Citizen Gary Smith's short video clip of the flooding along SR520 is amazing and entertaining.

A photo "linked here" by Citizen Susan Wilkins depicting the 100-year flood plain encroaching Redmond Town Center is somewhat frightful.

OPINION: The importance of "regionalism" to mitigating SR520 environmental impacts

Watershed Resource Inventory Area 8 (WRIA-8)

At last night's Council "study session" Council President McCormick and Mayor Marchione talked about the importance and relevance of "regionalism" to our city. Redmond officials appear to be "speaking with one voice" on Regional issues.

Mayor Marchione is an active member on the Sound Transit Board. I've watched him on TV. He is sharp and stands out as a leader. Councilmembers Richard Cole and Nancy McCormick have been active on the growth management issues of Puget Sound Regional Council. I think councilmembers Allen, Myers and Vache have worked on the regional issues of Human Services

Management of our watershed is regional, as well. The above WRIA 8 map demonstrates the extent of Redmond's connection with other cities in our regional "watershed area". Our watershed area extends from Everett south to Greater Auburn! It's used in large part by the state Department of Ecology to monitor salmon populations, water quality and flooding in our region.

Marchione represents Redmond in policy on the WRIA-8 committee. Jon Spangler (Redmond Public Works Stormwater Manager) is the active participant in regular meetings. Mr. Spangler recently facilitated a joint meeting with three agencies about SR520 impacts.

Last night, Mayor Marchione talked about the importance of the WRIA-8 committee to mitigating the environmental and flooding impacts of the SR520 expansion from 4 to 8 lanes. Endangered salmon and safety from flooding are the key issues.

A Bellevue official (with the help of Jean White, WRIA-8 manager) wrote a letter to Governor Gregoire requesting mitigation. Woodinville (and Redmond) citizen activists contributed significant flood data used in the letter.

Thus, Bellevue, Woodinville, other WRIA-8 cities all cared about what was impacting Redmond from the SR520 expansion. Woodinville and Redmond citizen activists created a groundswell. They wrote letters and sent a short video clip here and photos of the 12/3 flood to Rep. Ross Hunter, Chairman of Finance (and other key representatives.) Indeed, the effort was regional!

Ross was very concerned from the inputs and is taking action to fund $7M to meander Bear Creek away from the highway expansion. Rep. Hunter recently announced a TOWN HALL MEETING at Redmond City Hall on May 20, 6pm. I urge neighbors to attend Rep. Hunter's meeting in force to encourage or support possible approval of funding!

OPINION: THE SR520 EXPANSION BETWEEN THE SAMMAMISH RIVER BRIDGE AND REDMOND WAY - From 4 lanes in 1992 to 8 lanes in 2008. But at what cost?

How many people remember what traffic was like on 520 in Redmond in 1992 when the freeway expansion and improvements were first approved? Back then, the eastbound lanes of 520 ended at the stoplight on Redmond Way and cars waited in line to cross onto Avondale Road or turn left or right onto Redmond Way. A trip from Overlake in Bellevue to UPS on Union Hill Road in the afternoon could take an hour or more. The addition of the flyover so that cars didn’t have to stop at the light on Redmond Way was such an improvement (although everyone was dismayed when it only had one lane in each direction.) In the past year, an additional flyover was built to allow traffic from westbound Redmond Way to flow directly onto 520 without stopping at the traffic lights on Redmond Way. This summer the Department of Transportation plans to start adding four additional lanes to 520 so that there will be four lanes in each direction. The new lanes are to be built on the north side of the freeway in the area now occupied by the Bear Creek floodway. click picture to enlarge


In 1992, the Redmond Town Center site was an empty field that had been a golf course and before that, a farm. The land was part of the Bear Creek 100-year flood plain so when a major storm occurred, storm water from Bear Creek could flood north towards the railroad tracks where the main parking garage, REI and Macy’s are now located. The whole area could flood to a depth of 2 to 3 feet for a day or two and then the floodwater would recede. When Redmond Town Center was constructed, most of the site was filled in with millions of cubic feet of trucked-in dirt and the elevation of the entire site was raised about 5 feet. Stores, offices, parking lots, roads and sidewalks have been built and the empty fields that once stored floodwater from Bear Creek now contribute to the run-off that flows into the creek. Even more of the flood plain was filled when the Bear Creek Parkway was built around the perimeter of the mall.

Upstream along Bear Creek and Evans Creek, new developments have dumped their overflow runoff into tributaries and storm channels that drain directly to the creeks. The creeks now overflow their banks when the valley gets more than 2 inches of rain in a day. The Keller Farm fields between Avondale and Union Hill Roads regularly flood with storm water from upstream. With the extra floodwater from upstream and the flood plain north of Bear Creek filled and built up, the floodwaters from Bear Creek fill the entire channel between the Bear Creek Parkway and SR520. During the December 3, 2007 storm, the floodwater was within 3 feet of the shoulder of the westbound lanes of 520!

There is way too much water flowing through a channel that has been narrowed by the Town Center development on the north side of the creek. And the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT)wants to reduce the channel and floodway on the south side of the creek even more by adding four more lanes to 520. The new lanes will extend 40 feet north of the westbound shoulder where floodwaters gush whenever we get a major storm. Untreated run-off from the new lanes will be washed directly into Bear Creek during major storm events. Salmon depend on this channel to get to their highly productive spawning beds upstream in Bear Creek, Evans Creek and Cottage Lake Creek. Narrowing the floodway with the new lanes could also cause severe flooding upstream especially near the Bear Creek Shopping Center and along Redmond Way.

The SR520 expansion plan was approved in 1992. Since then, a lot has changed in Redmond and the Department of Transportation’s plans for 520 and Bear Creek have become obsolete. Maybe it’s time for a new plan – for the sake of the salmon and the city.

[Historic Bear Creek flood plain boundary drawn from the 1992 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for SR520, Figure 3-8: FLOOD PLAIN AND FLOODWAY BOUNDARIES, p. 3-47 and from the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Parcel 390 of 1725, Map #53033C0390G, March 30, 1998.]

Bob Yoder
Susan Wilkins, co-author

Clip: "Slow Down - Curves Ahead" on WSDOT's proposed 520 widening project

Credit / Bob Yoder

Bear Creek flooding behind Safeway Bear Creek Shopping Center on 12/4/08. Yes, that is a park bench.

PLEASE WATCH THIS 1-MINUTE VIDEO FIRST. Click HERE . You will be taking a drive with "Citizen Gary Smith" westward on 520. While looking toward Redmond Town Center you will see Bear Creek flood waters encroaching only 20 feet from the SR520 freeway. Enjoy the music on the way.

When WSDOT builds four more lanes on top of the Bear Creek flood plain you are watching, where will the water go? Local geologist Susan Wilkins is HERE to tell you.

"SLOW DOWN - CURVES AHEAD!"
In response to WSDOT’s proposal to widen SR-520 between the new Redmond Way flyover and Sammamish River, citizen leaders, activists, and staff say “Fine, but do it in an environmentally responsible way.” We urge everyone in Redmond to carefully consider the unintended consequences of proposed 520 widening to our safety and welfare; flood hazards are a central issue. The project would fill & build 4 additional lanes into the flood plain – this, at a time with Olympia is recognizing “climate change” impacts to highway flooding. Potential life threatening flood hazards combined with destruction of endangered, listed species habitat creates critical concerns about the WSDOT plan. However, all parties agree to the value of a road widening to 8-lanes.

On January 8, 2008 our Redmond city attorney gave notice to Ben Brown at WSDOT regarding WSDOT’s refusal to apply for a “buffer variance”. WSDOT plans to encroach up to 100 feet into Redmond’s Critical Area buffer breaking our city land use laws.

The City’s solution is to meander Bear Creek to the north and away from SR 520; but that’s $10M WSDOT doesn’t have. Mayor Marchione, Councilmembers Cole and Allen, and Staff Managers Beam, Spangler, and Cairns. have been outspoken and supportive of alternatives. Spangler indicates $2.5M could be funded through city grants. Cole and Allen traveled to Olympia. Citizens and students are writing letters to their State Representatives.

NEWS FLASH: State Representative Ross Hunter corresponded on 1/27/08: “ We are working on trying to fix this”. Rep. Hunter is the Finance Committee Chairperson. There is hope!

You can help by writing your State representatives or State Transportation Committee Chairperson: Representative Judy Clibborn of Mercer Island.

Stay tuned....

Thanks to Gary Smith, past Trails Commissioner, for creating and producing the the 520 flood video clip and organizing citizenry participation. 

UPDATE: The lanes were later widened with embankments to keep 520 from flooding and protect the Bear Creek riparian and stream.   BY, 12/13/19

OPINION: 520 widening: "No place for water to go!" - Susan Wilkins

Photo is taken of Bear Creek behind Safeway during the December '07 storm; not a good day to sit on the park bench!

OPINION about how the proposed state 520 widening project will impact our safety & welfare.

"It appears that the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) never updated their flood maps and calculations to reflect the build-out of Redmond Town Center! The maps do show the Redmond Town Center (RTC) buildings and Bear Creek Parkway, but the flood maps are not updated to reflect that most of the 100-year floodplain that used to cover the RTC site is now filled in.

Bear Creek is now confined to the small channel area between the Bear Creek Parkway and 520 and of course it floods during a major storm event -- there is almost no place left for the water to go. And the WDOT wants to reduce this channel by another 30 feet! (Oddly, their document shows the new flyover bridge in a 100-year floodplain that doesn't appear in the 1998 map. Did anyone even look at this document before signing off on it?!)

It seems to me that the WDOT is using hopelessly outdated maps and data to justify their claim that the 520 widening will have no adverse effects on the stream, flooding and salmon habitat. "

Susan Wilkins, Redmond citizen geologist

How do you feel? Any thoughts?

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video clip of flooding onto SR520 floodplain

Click HERE to view a video clip of flooding along the north bank of Bear Creek -- only 20 feet from the SR520 freeway in Redmond, WA.  - Video contributed by Gary Smith, past Trails commissioner. The clip was videoed from Gary's car driving west on SR520 towards West Lake Sammamish Blvd. About a minute long. 

12/13/2007

WSDOT's flawed SR 520 freeway widening design

Washington Department of Transportation's (WSDOT) flawed environmental plan for widening SR520.

The NW Regional Administrator for WSDOT states "WSDOT is accountable during 520 widening to several local, State and Federal agencies for permits...to ensure the project can be completed with practical environmental impact.

FACT: WSDOT is not complying to the City of Redmond Critical Area Ordinance on sustaining 150 foot Creek buffers.

FACT: WSDOT is not accountable to the Washington State Dept. Ecology for "no net loss" during wetland mitigation sequencing.

FACT: WSDOT is not accountable to the Federal/State Endangered Species Act for Bear Creek Listed Chinook salmon.

The WSDOT design does not ensure environmental measures are practical to anyone but themselves.

Read the next blog for a solution.

Click HERE for a short video clip of Bear Creek flooding its southern banks during a car ride to within 20 feet of SR 520.

Staff report on proposed 520 widening project unveils serious environmental shortcomings by WSDOT

Click HERE for aerial photo of Bear Creek & 520 widening site:

Mayor Ives asked staff to give a report to council on the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) SR 520 road widening plan. It won't be long before WSDOT files a city application to reduce our Bear Creek buffer protections from 150 feet to 60 feet!

WSDOT failed to file a complete Environmental Impact Statement on the widening project leaving the public out of the process. It is now clear WSDOT has shown complete disregard on three key environmental issues.

• Issue #1) environmental impacts to Bear Creek endangered Chinook & habitat were never addressed or acknowledged by WSDOT.

• Issue #2) Critical Area Ordinance wetland mitigation sequencing was ignored. Instead, WSDOT is mitigating the myriad of project wetlands off-site and not addressing required "no net loss" wetland management practices.

• Issue #3) WSDOT is not compensating for loss of flood plain storage.

City of Redmond stormwater engineers estimate it would take $10 million to fix the environmental (and flood hazard) component of the WSDOT widening plan. The city could probably find grant money to pay for restoration of the northern bank of Bear Creek. Estimated city cost is $2.5 million. WSDOT's 8 lanes of traffic only 60 feet from Bear Creek has a huge impact on the environmental and flood hazard components. Thus, it is expected WSDOT would be responsible for the majority of the restoration work.

Managing Bear Creek/520 flood hazards, natural resources, and preserving our endangered species and heritage can't be accomplished without the support and encouragement of our state representatives. THE BOTTOM LINE is we need to write our state legislators and request their effort to fund the Bear Creek/520 restoration.

We have some good news already! State Representatives Ross Hunter and Deborah Eddy have already responded to citizen input and are requesting additional information! Two influential and powerful Redmond council members are traveling to Olympia next month (Allen & Cole). Mayor Ives and Mayor-elect Marchione both appear enthusiastic and optimistic. But, we have a lot of letters to write!

Mayor Ives has even suggested writing Ron Sims in King County about shifting half of the widening to the South. Below are quick links to our representatives. Please take 3 minutes to sent them a note!

STAFF VIDEO REPORT at December 11 council meeting: http://www.redmond.gov/aboutredmond/rctv/ondemandcouncil.asp
(scroll 1/3 into the tape)

Contact Senator Rodney Tom, Representatives Ross Hunter and Deborah Eddy HERE:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Results.aspx?city=Redmond&street=10019%20169th%20AVe%20ne&zip=98052 Citizens outside of Redmond can locate their Representative's contact information at this link, too.

Representative Deborah Eddy is a crucial contact for us since she is Vice-Chair of the "Local Government Committee". Her committee deals with land use and local permitting issues. Ms. Eddy's website is HERE: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/house/eddy

Representative Campbell: House Select Environmental Committee http://www1.leg.wa.gov/house/campbell

Senate members or Natural Resources and Recreation Committee http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/NROR/members.htm

King County Executive Ron Sims: exec.sims@kingcounty.gov

James Pater, Permit Review, WA. Department of Ecology mailto:dapa461@ecy.wa.gov

FYI, Washington State Environmental Hearings Office Website is: http://www.eho.wa.gov/. This office hears appeals to the Shoreline Management Act. The City of Redmond hears appeals to the Buffer Variance.

PROPOSED SR 520 WIDENING - Redmond Historical Society position statement

Submitted by: The Redmond Historical Society, Board of Directors

The Redmond Historical Society’s mission includes preserving the historic character of Redmond, and our natural and cultural history is part of that character. We are concerned that WSDOT’s proposed widening of SR 520 might have at least three negative heritage impacts:

1) Salmon populations. Redmond’s Shoreline Management Act establishes a 150-foot buffer, in part to protect the Salmonid populations that navigate Bear Creek and the Sammamish River. It appears part of the proposed widening would violate that buffer.

2) Bear Creek. We support the city’s recent efforts to put meanders back into the Sammamish River, and the same should be done with the last half-mile of Bear Creek. We would like to see it meander through native growth areas and natural wetlands just as the upstream section does, and we understand that city officials have a perfectly good plan for such restoration work. In fact, that plan was just updated last year from a long-standing idea that was recognized in WSDoT’s proposal for widening SR-520. The executive summary of its Wetlands Biology Report states that this project is the final phase of work begun in the 1990s and lists a previous phase as “restoration and relocation of Bear Creek (completed in 2000).” The obvious problem is that, despite an agreement to do this when the whole project started 10 years ago, they did not complete that work on Bear Creek down to the Sammamish River. Why don’t we accomplish this now in conjunction with the widening of SR-520?

3) Native American culture. Mussel shells and arrowheads found along the Sammamish River and near Bear Creek by UW archaeologists have established that indigenous tribes camped along the shorelines as long ago as 8,000 years ago. The proposed widening includes the stretch where Bear Creek and the Sammamish River meet, and it is likely this confluence itself was an indigenous campsite. The widening proposal does not appear to provide any safeguards to ensure that such heritage sites are not damaged. Should the widening take place, WSDoT should be required to stop work if anything of Native American origin is found so that the state archaeologist has inspected the site and preserved anything of significance.

The Redmond Historical Society calls on the city to refuse any variance to its shoreline protection regulations and to resist the permit application unless and until WSDoT provides safeguards to the Sammamish River and restoration of Bear Creek to a meandering waterway with a reasonable buffer and healthy wetlands. If the battle moves to a higher level, we call on city officials to rally allies to fight for proper mitigation as part of the freeway widening.

Bear Creek floods 20 feet from SR520 into the WSDOT widening project.

Recent quotes on Central Washington flooding from "The Seattle Times"

Andy McMillan, long-time wetlands manager for the state Department of Ecology: “It’s kind of sad, we keep repeating the same mistakes even when we know better.”

David Montgomery, UW scientist and author of the salmon book and more recently, Dirt: “The more stuff you put in a floodplain, the higher the water will rise.”

--contributed by citizen G. Smith

This photo shows Bear Creek flooding only 20 feet from SR 520 highway. The new road widening will pave over all the land and floodwaters you see in the picture.

SR 520 is planned for widening by WSDOT to within 50 -60 feet of Bear Creek where Listed Chinook salmon live and rear their offspring. This picture was taken by Steve Hitch, Stormwater Public Works engineer for the City of Redmond. His comments to the Citizen Advisory Committee on flood hazard management plans are, as follows:

The WSDOT SR 520 project map website is HERE: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR520/WLakeSamPk_SR202/Map.htm.

The information on the graphic posted on the WSDOT website: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/10092E37-16F0-4A50-8BE9-C4B9016552B1/0/

"520 Section map shows that the widening will be exactly where this picture was taken, and will extend 64 feet towards Bear Creek. (All the widening is towards Bear Creek, none of it is toward Marymoor Park.) That means that in the future, there will be cars driving on a road where the water was flowing today. That means reduced flood capacity, not to mention loss of buffer habitat for the creek.

You will recall that the City and its Citizen Advisory Committee have been working on a Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan of which you are a part.(http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/publicworks/stormwater/floodplan/default.asp). We are finalizing the final draft, planned for adoption in 2008, and it will likely address the needs Bear Creek has related to the SR520 widening."

- Steve Hitch, Public Works, C.O.R.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Send your comments to city planner Cathy Beam cbeam@redmond.gov as soon as possible to influence the outcome of this neglectful WSDOT plan. Your input (and from your friends) is critical. Originally, WSDOT planned to re-locate Bear Creek to the north and away from 520. It appears they don't want to spend the money to do the job right. As is, Redmond's Shoreline Ordinance will be violated and our required 150 foot Bear Creek buffer will be reduced to 50 feet in places. Bear Creek habitat will be destroyed by this project. It is important to write Redmond city council and mayor with your comments to: mayorcouncil@redmond.gov

Photos/video of Redmond storm of 12/3/07

Flooding Bear Creek is only 20 feet from SR 520; road widening is planned for here. Email Cathy Beam, city planning with your comments to re-route Bear Creek away from 520. cbeam@redmond.gov . Broken grass is high water mark of flood. (below)





Bear Creek flooding 20 feet from SR 520 (above right & left)


Bear Creek behind Safeway

Picture on right is of Willows Golf Course. Lots of waterfowl here. Three above pics are of Bear Creek behind Safeway along the paved trail (at Bear Creek shopping center). Not a good day to sit on the park bench! Two pictures at top are of Bear Creek by SR 520.



The two video clips above are of Bear Creek on 116th St. bridge by Juel Park -one clip is upstream & other is downstream (click on play > button)

Video clips of flooding & stormwater treatment facilities, 12/4

Bear Creek by Safeway

Bear Creek at Juel Park near NE 116th St. & Avondale Rd.

Keller Farm - project site for Aegis Living Corp.

Bio-swale at NE 104th and Avondale - stormwater treatment - reoxygenation/filtration

detention pond turned into a wetland by city by PCC on 116th St.

Bear Creek behind Redmond Town Ctr. near proposed SR 520 widening

OPINION: Proposed SR 520 widening threatens Bear Creek

Editor's Update, 2/9/2011

Opinion:  $8M funds were approved by the state legislature to alter the creek away from the highway widening.  Finance Chair Ross Hunter had a lot to do with funding approval along with impetus from the city, the regional watershed coalition and engaged citizens.  The City approved $2M for the project.  No work has been done on the project after more thant two years.  Engaged citizens think it's because of an archaeological site and lack of flooding onto the new highway. The new highway was elevated during construction and severe flooding hasn't encroached the highway.  The comments below this post may be of interest to you.  B.Y.

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OPINION:  The Department of Transportation "flyway" construction on SR 520 & Redmond Way is just the beginning of more to come.

If the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) gets it's way SR 520 will be widened to within 50 feet of Bear Creek. Yes, that's right! However, WE may be able to improve the project if WE speak up and write to the City of Redmond by December 9.

Many citizens consider Bear Creek a vital part of our city culture and heritage. Thousands of years ago Sqwak indians lived off the salmon and mussels of Bear Creek. Today, families walk behind Redmond Town Center to observe and enjoy the scenic creek, salmon habitat, and riparian foliage. Teachers take their students to the creek in the Fall to release salmon fry. In 1999 the Chinook salmon were declared a federal threatened species. WSDOT will have to remove many of the trees that provide shade and cool water needed for survival of Chinook. Treated, roadside stormwater with drain into the creek. And, the creek would remain a straight-line ditch without off-channel salmon rearing opportunities.

See an aerial photo of Bear Creek & 520 widening site: http://tinyurl.com/2ks8t2

Concerned citizens can't stop this project but we can write the following city planner and state representatives to request WDOT not build on top of Shoreline buffers -- within 50 feet of Bear Creek Chinook habitat.

The most important person to write right now is Cathy Beam, Principle Planner, City of Redmond. Comments are due to Ms. Beam by December 9. You can email Cathy at: cbeam@redmond.gov . Or fax: 425-556-2400. Questions? Call Cathy at 425-556-2429.

In your email to Ms. Beam: reference to File # L070501 or just mention the SR 520 widening project. Mention your concerns about the salmon habitat, noise buffering and anything else important to you and ask to re-route Bear Creek away from the WSDOT 520 widening project. Be sure to leave your name and address.

Your letter to Ms. Cathy Beam is very important because it also registers you to participate in the Shoreline Permit and Buffer Variance Permit proceedings should you so choose. This site will be updated on a regular basis for your convenience.

Five years ago the Shorelines Management Citizens Advisory Committee spent months carefully crafting a Shorelines Management Policy for Redmond. 150 foot buffers were approved by the City Council --which WSDOT is now requesting to ignore in their Buffer Variance Permit application. Is this fair? Is it right? Will you write your representatives?


Contact Senator Rodney Tom, Representatives Ross Hunter and Deborah Eddy HERE:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Results.aspx?city=Redmond&street=10019%20169th%20AVe%20ne&zip=98052 Citizens outside of Redmond can locate their Representative's contact information at this link, too.


Representative Deborah Eddy is a crucial contact for us since she is Vice-Chair of the "Local Government Committee". Her committee deals with land use and local permitting issues. Ms. Eddy's website is HERE: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/house/eddy

Representative Campbell: House Select Environmental Committee http://www1.leg.wa.gov/house/campbell

Senate members or Natural Resources and Recreation Committee http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/NROR/members.htm

James Peter, Permit Review, WA. Department of Ecology mailto:dapa461@ecy.wa.gov
FYI, Washington State Environmental Hearings Office Website is: http://www.eho.wa.gov/. This office hears appeals to the Shoreline Management Act. The City of Redmond hears appeals to the Buffer Variance.

Feel free to post personal comments here.

By Bob Yoder
Opinion updated on 2/9/2011

Redmond's Historical program features our city "Park Ranger"!

The Redmond Historical Society meeting of November 10 featured a slide talk by Peter Holte, our city's environmental "Stewardship Coordinator". Peter wears many hats but I have always liken him to a "city park ranger". (Peter once helped me get some land-use stream maps when I was studying the Critical Area Ordinance.)

At the historical program I felt like I was listening to a national park talk - but we were at the Old Redmond School House! I took a few notes:

• 35,000 years ago Redmond was under a glacial lake.


• the length of the Sammamish River used to be 28 miles long. The River was straightened in 1912 and 1963 for flood control. It is 10 miles shorter today.


• the Army Corps of Engineers "took the kinks out" to handle 40 year floods - we haven't had any.


• After straightening, the river became became known as a "slough" (slow moving body of water) and is now technically a "flood conveyance facility".


• One of the most significant pollutants from roadway stormwater run-off is copper. Automobile brakes used to be made with asbestos and now copper is used.

Peter mentioned the re-channeling the Sammamish River during the 90th Street Bridge construction - to make the river more serpentine. In 1999 salmon were put on the endangered list and making the river "curvy" helps salmon survive.

Stormwater construction is going on now at Luke McRedmond park near city hall. The project involves making part of the slough curvy and serpentine to help the salmon, but also to control and treat the stormwater run out of large, new outfall.

Sidebar: Not spoken at the meeting but a couple of RHS (Redmond Historical Society) members have joined other citizens in advocating to re route Bear Creek away from SR520 and make it serpentine and more salmon friendly. Why? The WDOT (Dept. of Transportation) has plans to widen 520 bringing the highway only about 50-feet from the Creek!

Peter mentioned that converting our straight-ditch Bear Creek and Sammamish River to a serpentine routing helps salmon by providing "off-channel rearing" places. Salmon just don't get the shelter and cool water they need in a straight-ditch owing to the faster running waters.

Peter gave us some interesting history of Redmond's development:

Prior to the 1800's, Sqwak Indians inhabited the Redmond area; known as the "Willow People". Sqwak tribes were related to the Snoqualmie and Duamish tribes. 1871 - first land claim; 1876 - first steamboat on Sammamish River; 1880 - logging boom (firs 12 feet in diameter); 1890 - transition to farming; 1892 - first drainage district; 1916 - river drops 9 feet after Ballard Ship lock was built; 1963-64 river straightened into a slough. Peter asked the society for help in naming 1 or 2 streams. Only 4 have names. Mackey Creek is one.

Peter Holte's environmental city work is interfaced often with citizens who what to help. If you want to volunteer in one of his stewardship programs call: 425-556-2822. Or email Peter at pholte@redmond.gov. Students looking for community volunteer credits can work in his storm drain stenciling program or stream steward program.

Many thanks to the RHS for providing this interesting program. http://www.redmondhistory.org/