It's Salmon SEEson once again! - Spot the spawners!

It’s Salmon SEEson once again!

Spot the spawners in the Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed this fall!

Visit www.kingcounty.gov/salmon  and click on Salmon SEEson to learn more!

Fall is here, and salmon are returning to streams and rivers around Puget Sound. Watch for these natural wonders at the listed locations around the watershed as they make their seasonal journey!

See salmon on these days at these spots:

Best viewing July through September (free tours/talks twice a day)

Chittenden Locks in Seattle (Ballard)

For more info: 206-783-7059 or search web for “Chittenden Locks”

Sponsored by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

September and October – call for details

Locations along the Sammamish River Trail in Redmond

For more info: 425-556-2822 or pholte@redmond.gov

Sponsored by the City of Redmond

September 28 and 29, October 5 and 6 (1-4) and October 2 and 9 (3-6)

On Bear Creek in Woodinville, on the Tolt Pipeline trail

For more info: gandksmith@hotmail.com or 425-885-1250

Sponsored by Water Tenders   Read More >>

Take the Plunge - Join Water Tenders!

Water Tenders Celebrate 25 Years with Anniversary Barbecue

 

It’s time to celebrate!

Water Tenders has been working hard the past 25 years to maintain and protect Bear Creek, it’s headwaters, creeks, streams, and wetlands that make up the Bear Creek Basin. It’s time to celebrate, acknowledge, and reconnect with the Water Tenders volunteers and members, past and present, who have helped make this accomplishment possible.

We are hosting a 25th Anniversary Barbecue, open to the public, at Mary Cash Farm, on Sunday, September 15 at 3:30 PM. We will be grilling hamburgers and veggie burgers and of course, we will have a 25th Anniversary cake for dessert. We will also provide the paper and plasticware for meals.

Participants are asked to bring an appetizer or salad and their own drinks (alcohol is not allowed in King County Parks).

We will have a variety of posters, booklets, flyers, and newsletters on display to illustrate our rich history.

Mary Cash Farm is located at the intersection of Woodinville-Duvall Road and 182nd Avenue NE. Overflow parking will be available  across the street in the upper parking lot of the Cottage lake Presbyterian Church and Preschool located at 18350 NE Woodinville-Duvall Place.

Please RSVP to jan-guy@hotmail.com if you think you will attend so we can get a headcount for burgers. We hope to see you there!

Water Tenders, Bear Creek Basin Conservationists

My daughter, Lexie, was youth Water Tender Board Member while in high school.  In 2023 she was promoted to Lead Environmental Scientist for a regional engineering company in Spokane.  Lexie's LinkedIn information.

By Terry Lavender

Founder, Water Tenders

"Water Tenders is a group of  people who care about the wetlands and streams in the Bear Creek area and King County..."  (Water Tender Gary Smith works closely with Terry on Bear Creek land acquisitions.)

I have been a Water Tenders member for all of its 25 years. Reflection is good and I feel pride and more than a little awe in what Water Tenders has accomplished. Some of the actions were the starting point for landscape-wide changes. The simple act of consistently collecting and reporting rain water led to the realization that one size does not fit all—Bear Creek gets almost double the rainfall of SeaTac and development standards must change. Careful observation and reporting led to improvements countywide in temporary erosion and sedimentation measures. We showed that people will work with their neighbors and enroll in tax incentives to protect natural habitat on their property and have been a positive voice for Bear Creek in the City of Redmond.  We have recorded baselines for species from amphibians to freshwater mussels and the biology of Paradise Valley Conservation Area with good, citizen-collected data.  We originated salmon docent programs that are now active all over King County and the list goes on.

I admit to angst about the future, however.  Groups like Water Tenders are rare.  People join forces to fight a development, support a piece of legislation or right some environmental wrong and end their involvement when the cause is won or lost.  Water Tenders has fought these battles but it has also been the slow and steady force that works to change the rules that allowed the problem, educate the neighbors, advocate for acquisition of important properties and then maintain and restore them and continually be the positive voice for a healthy Bear Creek.  Like the rain, we have been constant and it has mattered.   

Water Tenders Celebrate 25 years of care for Bear Creek Basin

Water Tenders celebrated 25 years of care for the Bear Creek Basin by exhibiting at REI today to raise awareness for the Basin and sign new members. 

They handed  out salmon cut-outs to children and told visitors about the trail along the creek only a few blocks away from REI. 

Some of the projects they've done over the years involve:  a Newsletter, Monitoring, Education and Outreach, Plant salvages and native plantings, Adopt a Natural area maintenance, Task Forces, and Advocacy. 

Want to help or at least know what is going on?  Join Water Tenders by sending $20 and your name and address and email to Water Tenders, P.O. Box 402, Woodinville, WA.  98072.   www.watertenders.org 

Water Tenders exhibit at Redmond Town Center REI store December 9

Key Club members help Water Tenders restore riparian
habitat on a Bear Creek tributary.  My daughter Lexie recruited
these volunteers.  She's on the Water Tenders Board.

This Sunday December 9th, from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, Water Tenders will be advertising our organization at the Redmond Town Center REI store. We will have a table with displays set up by the climbing rock at the front door. Please  attend and encourage any friends and acquaintances to come down and see us. This event is partly a recruitment tool and also to inform the public about what we do and the importance of maintaining a healthy watershed.

Also, has anyone observed any Kokanee salmon in our streams this season?  If so, please contact Jennifer at King County. It is important that they get this information. She can be reached at: Jennifer.Vanderhoof@kingcounty.gov 

Water Tenders is a group of people who care about the wetlands and streams in the Bear Creek watershed of King County, Washington. We are your neighbors and we are all willing to put a little of our time into preserving, protecting, and restoring the wonderful natural heritage we are priviledge to steward. Water Tenders has been in existence since 1989 and is proud of the many accomplishments of the volunteers.

Invasive Species in our local Waterways

Invasive Species in our local Waterways
By John Reinke

Several species of invasive amphibians, reptiles, mollusks and mammals have established themselves in King County's lakes, rivers and streams. his piece discusses the three species that I've observed in the Sammamish River.   It is almost a certainty that they can also be found in Bear Creek, which flows into the Sammamish River.

The three species are: Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), and the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)

credit: John Reinke

American Bullfrog
   The American bullfrog is native to the eastern United States, but has spread throughout the country. It is a voracious feeder, and will consume anything that can fit in its large mouth. Body length can be as long as six inches, with the legs adding as much as another ten inches. Very large bullfrogs can weigh almost two pounds.  I have seen and photographed them in and near the Sammamish River.

   It has proven easy to raise in ponds for commercial sale. Consequently, the species is now factory farmed in many parts of the world for food. According to the New York Times, more than two million bullfrogs are imported live into the San Francisco Bay Area every year. The problem is that they bring with them the deadly chytrid skin fungus, which has wiped out hundreds of frog species worldwide. (It is not harmful to humans.) A study of nearly 500 fresh-bought frogs from San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York found that 62 percent were infected with this fungus. A few manage to escape and thus help spread the fungus in the U.S.

   Locally, these bullfrogs outcompete (and also eat) native species, which are in decline partly as a result. Bullfrogs also consume ducklings, garter snakes, and even the native western pond turtle. That's why the King County environment website says: "If you catch one, feel free to eat it!"

Credit:  John Reinke

Red-eared Slider Turtle
   Like the American bullfrog, the red-eared slider is native to the eastern U.S. It is the most commonly sold pet turtle across the country. This has greatly contributed to its spread, as some escape into the wild and others are let go by owners who no longer want them.

   Their name comes from the distinctive red patch of skin around their ears. The "slider" part comes about from their ability to quickly  slide into the water from rocks and logs. Red-eared sliders eat a variety of animal and plant materials including fish, crayfish, tadpoles, snails, crickets, aquatic insects and numerous aquatic plants.

   Red-eared sliders have overwhelmed native western pond turtles to the extent that according to Wikipedia, the latter have not been found in the Puget Sound area since 2007.

Where Did the Rain Go?

"Where Did the Rain Go?"

By Guy Baltzelle
Woodinville, WA.

Of course, the Puget Sound area is famous for our “marine layer” rain and overcast. We typically get measureable rain 150 days a year and it is cloudy or partly cloudy 294 days a year. As we are all well aware, we get the least amount of annual sunlight  major cities in the lower-48 states.

However, what is less well known is that, in the summer, we experience a serious draught. A typical
July delivers .8 inches of rain to this area and August delivers 1 inch. This is much drier than almost
anywhere else in the country because most places receive rain from thunderstorms in the summer. Se-
attle is the least likely city in the country to receive thunderstorms.

Which brings us to this August. Here in the Bear Creek valley, we had exactly 0 inches of rain this August. Zero. Zip. Nada. In the seven years I have been measuring rainfall here, I have never seen a month with no rainfall. The closest we had was in July 2007 when we only had .07 inches.

So, if your lawn is looking a little dry right now, you have a good reason. So, next time your relatives back east tease you about all the rainfall out here in the Pacific Northwest, ask them “Oh yeah? How much rainfall did you have in August? Because we didn’t have ANY!”

Guy's piece is published in the Fall/Winter issue of the Water Tenders  newsletter

The Gift of Conservation Futures

The Gift of Conservation Futures

By Terry Lavender

Conservation Futures is a small portion of your property
 tax specifically dedicated to acquisition of land in King
County and its cities for conservation and open space. It was first introduced
in the State Legislaturein 1971 by Kirkland Republican Alan Bleuchel as
part of a larger package of environmental legislation that also established the
State Department of Ecology. The legislation stated that it is a ‘fundamental
and inalienable right’ of citizens to have a healthy and pleasant environment.
Governor Dan Evans signed the legislation into law. Every county was granted
the right to collect funds to purchase Open Space.

The interesting fact is that no county used this authority until 1982
when King County used it to jump-start the Farmlands Preservation Pro-
gram and purchase a large portion of Cougar Mountain. King County has
collected the funds ever since.

This region is shaped by conservation—it is our soul and our legacy. In
the past three decades, Conservation Futures has been the largest single
financial contributor to this effort. In Bear Creek, these funds have con-
tributed to nearly every piece of property protected—from the Upper,
Middle, and Lower Bear Creek Conservation areas; Cold Creek and Mary
Cash Farm; the wetlands along Evans Creek; the newly purchased proper-
ties south of the Tolt Pipeline Trail; the confluence of Mackey Creek, and
others in the works. Snohomish County used this authority for half of the
funds to purchase the Paradise Valley Conservation Area. You can multiply
this success across King County in every river and creek system, city open
space parks like Bellevue’s Mercer Slough or Seattle’s Thorton Creek, over
100,000 acres of forest development rights purchased and protected farm-
land.

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of King County using this fund.  At a
celebration of some of the founders and longtime advocates, King
County Executive Dow Constantine, a strong supporter of this funding gave
a speech on the measure. 

Read Terry's entire article and Dow's speech in the Water Tenders Fall Newletter  

Lower Bear Creek Natural Area by Avondale Rd. adds 1.6 acres

Lower Bear Creek "ox-bow" / BY
 (Look for the small  Hartman Pool sign by the sidewalk on Avondale Road)

The Lower Bear Creek Natural Area
Grows by 1.6 Acres

Driving north on Avondale, it's possible you noticed the blue sign “Lower Bear Creek Natural Area” on the east side of the road.  This natural area is about 13 acres and includes what is known as the Grandfather Grove of large second growth trees on the east side of Bear Creek.  It is about four miles upstream from Redmond Town Center and the Sammamish River.    Read More >>

Willows Creek After Restoration

Logs and "el-wood" are positioned in Willows Creek

Earlier this year, the City implemented a plan to restore a 800 foot section of Willows Creek to a more natural state.  The creek originates in the Rose Hill watershed of Redmond and empties into the Sammamish River about a half mile north of the 90th Street Bridge.  Migrating salmon gather in the mouth of the creek to find cool water and shade.

Erosion and a significant sedimentation problems occur during periods heavy rains.  The problem is augmented by a stormwater outfall servicing the surrounding roads and homes.  High flow rates reduce the amount and quality of habitat for salmon and cutthroat trout. According to Tom Hardy, city stream specialist cutthroat are present but not salmon.  Read more...

"Sustainable Redmond" to hold booth at Derby Days; launches new website

Sustainable Redmond is hosting its first in a series of public events, beginning on July 22nd from 7-9 pm, at the Redmond Library, in Meeting Room 2. Cecile Andrews will talk about “Living Sustainably: Simpler, Slower, Smaller.” Cecile is the author of three books related to sustainability and voluntary simplicity: the recently released “Less is More”, along with “Slow is Beautiful” and “The Circle of Simplicity”.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn more about Sustainable Redmond - a grassroots organization focused on local sustainable actions. A group of dedicated Redmond-area citizens have been meeting since November to form Sustainable Redmond, which is part of the Sustainable Communities All Over Puget Sound (SCALLOPS) network (scallopswa.org). Some of the current group members come from a variety of other local organizations related to sustainability, such as the Audubon Society, Redmond Parks and Trails Commission, Water Tenders, Green Redmond, Redmond Pedestrian and Bike Advisory Committee, and the Marymoor Community Garden.

Vote YES on King County Charter "Open Space Amendment" #4

Letter from the Water Tenders

We have endorsed King County Charter Amendment 4, on your November ballot. The Open Space Amendment (OSA) will provide enhanced protection for approximately 156,000 acres of natural open space owned by King County.  (photo of Cougar Mountain)

Through a new section in the county charter, the Open Space Amendment  (#4) strengthens protection of certain high conservation value properties by requiring a 28-day public comment period, a finding of facts, and a supermajority vote (7 of 9) of the County Council before the property could be sold or transferred. This public process will help to safeguard our most cherished green spaces for future generations.

These properties are among our most treasured conservation and recreation spaces. County lands to receive additional protection include all the Bear Creek Waterways properties in Unincorporated King County (Cold Creek Natural Area, the Upper Bear Creek Conservation Area, Evans Creek Natural Area and many more) Squak Mountain/Tiger Mountain Corridor, Cedar River Waterways, Cougar Mountain, the Upper Raging River Forest, and the Snoqualmie Forest.

The properties protected by the Open Space Amendment are already owned or held in a conservation easement by King County – the amendment involves no new land purchases or direct costs.

The Open Space Amendment is unanimously supported by the County Council, Executive, Municipal League, many environmental groups, and community leaders. You can see a full list of endorsements and learn more about he Open Space Amendment at http://www.openspaceamendment.org/.

We urge you to vote Yes on King County Charter Open Space Amendment #4. 

The Water Tenders
submitted by Terry Lavender
9/4

The "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" Mission Statement, Goals, Achievements

Friends and Guests,

 The "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" brings transparency to the City of Redmond, Lake Washington School District, Evergreen Hospital District and other local jurisdictions, to encourage them to listen to their constituents and make positive changes; the Blog helps Greater Redmond citizens to be seen and heard in their neighborhoods and come together to find solutions. Your comments and stories are welcome."

I’ve lived in Redmond 30 years.  I publish the Redmond Neighborhood Blog because I am passionate about where live and I love being active in my community and local government.  The Blog is my avocation.  My goal is that someday the Redmond Neighborhood Blog will be a thriving nonprofit, skilled at connecting and engaging Greater Redmond local governments with our communities. Recognition and Advocacy are central to this Blog.

At the core of my reporting, is scrutiny and daylighting the local governing bodies of  Greater Redmond.  Transparency is a disinfectant.  I've expanded my City of Redmond coverage to include Lake Washington School District, Evergreen Public Hospital District and the local King County Library branch.  The School District has three times as many active voters as the City and represents great potential for additional readership and positive changes.

Alternative neighborhood news, opinion, comment, and  posts contributed by citizens and business engages and connects citizens with our communities and  local jurisdictions.    The Blog strives to be nonpartisan and independent.  Presently, every candidate running for office in the City, School Board, and Public Health District #2 knows about the Blog.

In 2005, preservation of  priority Urban Open Space and the cultural habitat of Perrigo Woodlands and Hartman Wetlands drew me into community activism.  Discovery of hazardous waste on a shallow city aquifer in SE Redmond triggered the beginnings of this blog.  Land use review practices, Public Notice and developer-centric planning were early reports and are ongoing.  In 2008, I worked with the Water Tenders and other citizens to leverage our voice and empower City and regional officials   Our message was successfully targeted to State representatives.  We secured  $8M funding from the State to restore Bear Creek and mitigate SR520 flooding.

Reporting on city governance brings positive changes, as follows:

1. Independent, alternative neighborhood news and reader comments and contributions keeps government  in touch with our needs and each other. 
2. TRANSPARENCY:  Our electeds' work is more visible. Minutes and recordings of meetings are taken and with consistency.  Elected conduct more meetings outside of their Chambers and in neighborhoods.  Committees have more voice.  Electeds' and staff meetings are more visible, efficient and productive.  Senior administrators and CEO's listen and respond.
3. City of Redmond and other local jurisdictions are subjected to public scrutiny for positive change.
4. Land use review process, Public Notice, Public Records and access is improved.
5. Human resource problems are identified.
6. Access to governments' website resources are improved and more transparent.     
7. Commissions, Boards and Councils are energized and empowered.
8. Mistakes and unintended consequences during the planning process are minimized by community participation and more functional internal (staff) communications
9. Neighborhood and community Voice is leveraged and targeted to create positive change in Greater Redmond, the County and State.  

Local and state politicians listen and respond to the problems and opportunities uncovered by the Blog.   A key Goal is to encourage reader participation and contributions to the Blog with their Comment, Letters, Opinion, Tips, and stories.  Probably, the biggest soft spot in this blog is the Lone Wolf Syndrome of One Howling Voice.  Readers want a chorus of thought, opinion, comment and neighborhood news.  Your contributions get top priority over my entries!   Improving site functionality is another key Goal.   I'm open to ideas!
 
The Redmond Neighborhood Blog provides alternative news to traditional  reporting while remaining independent of commercial and government dogma.    I cherish, and pay for this freedom!   I hope you will take advantage of this resource and participate, with your stories, your news, your comments, insight and of course, your readership!

Sincerely,

Bob Yoder
Community Activist
Publisher and Editor
"Redmond Neighborhood Blog"

10019 169th AVE NE
Redmond, WA.  98052
425-802-2523 (cell)
redmondblog@gmail.com

9/27/09, revised 10/17/09

ATTN: "Mayor John", Redmond kids, parents, students and teachers

ATTN: parents, children, families, students, and teachers

If you are regular Redmond Neighborhood Blog readers you know a recurring topic is the importance and value of protecting Redmond's groundwater. Approximately, 40% of our city drinking water comes from "sandy, underground lakes and streams" known as aquifers. Citizens living in Education Hill, SE Redmond, the Downtown, and North Redmond all drink treated, underground water pumped up from 5 city wells.

I discovered an entertaining short cartoon video about 'groundwater' and it's importance and value to us. It is directed to kids and teachers but many parents and youth will be engaged by the animation. Click the link to see it!

Mayor John Marchione plans to visit various Redmond elementary schools this year, according to his interview on RCTV last month. I believe he'll start off at Norman Rockwell, the school he attended in his youth. Perhaps, "Mayor John" will bring this groundwater video to the attention of the teachers and students during his school visits.

Many thanks to the Water Tenders, a leader of Redmond's Derby Days "Green Team". The video is posted on their website: http://watertenders.org/. My daughter, Pam and I are proud members of the Green Team!

Children's video on "groundwater". http://www.leapingmedia.com/groundwater.html
Water Tenders website: http://watertenders.org/
Meet the Mayor - 2nd interview: http://rctv.redmond.gov/ondemand/inside0709b.wmv

Redmond-Cascade Conservancy forestry stewardship project is launched

This neighborhood volunteer work party for GreenRedmond removed Himalayan Blackberry weeds nearby Hartman Park on Saturday. In the Fall volunteers will plant native shrubs to beautify and protect the forest.

UPDATED, 5/1 - A garbage-ridden corner forest by the school pedestrian corridor, Church of LDS (Mormon) and the Dirt Bike Course (adjacent Hartman Park) had been severely overtaken by dense Himalayan Blackberry weeds. Citizens, the City, and Cascade Conservancy wanted to do something about it. This Saturday, twenty-five enthusiastic, committed citizen volunteers walked into this neighborhood forest with their tools. Norah Kates of the Cascade Conservancy answered our questions. Four hours later, with the use of City tools and the Cascade Conservancy knowledge, the forest floor had been "cleaned up" and we walked away satisfied and very happy with our work. This Fall, when the rains come, we will plant native, green shrubs and sapling trees!

The group of volunteers you see in this photo (click to enlarge) is a diverse mix of citizens who care about our local environment. Many of the volunteers were "Key Club" members recruited by my daughter, Lexie. Lexie is a Youth Advocate for the Water Tenders. Key Club is a Redmond High School Club devoted to charitable work. Students and parents from Horace Mann El, a local Scout pack, Water Tenders helped out.

Neighbor Lisa from the Parks farm volunteered as did two officers from the Water Tenders. Several passersby signed up for the next project. It was hard work but rewarding. We removed 40 gallons of recyclable drinking containers. (A month ago 120 gallons were removed). Invasive plants were removed from approximately 8000 square feet of forest floor . We protected and left untouched a low-lying bird's nest with two chicks.

The forest floor looks barren and brown for now. City Parks said they would remove and recycle the concrete gate blocks and may chip the wood trash. After planting native shrubs this Fall the forest floor will look beautiful! The neighborhood will just have to be patient for the new plants as we await the Fall rains. Restoration information may be posted. Comments?

Removing "the buggers" - restoring the forest!

Here's a photo of my friend, Doug. He's standing in front of what used to be a huge mound of Himalayan Blackberries. This particular type of blackberry is a nasty plant that is harmful to the forest floor because it takes over the smaller native forest plants. We cleared out this area in just 35 minutes using city supplied tools. Amazing how fast it goes. Once we get these berry bushes removed everyone will be able to look into the forest and enjoy it. In the Fall we'll plant native plants the city gives us.

Doug is an exceptional person committed to restoration and forest management. He has a Masters in Horticulture specializing in invasive plants and really knows how to take these buggers down. In addition, he is a new member to the WATER TENDERS, a grass roots organization dedicated to conserving the Bear Creek Basin.

Doug and his son is a BMX cyclist and they enjoy riding the dirt bike trail nearby. After we stripped these blackberries Doug talked to the BMX youth playing on the trail and gave them a great lesson on tree conservation. Basically, Doug advised the kids not to remove dirt from the root zones of the trees. (Dirt is needed to build the course). My old "lunch buddy" Dallas immediately got a shovel and started covering the exposed roots. Protecting the trees is very important to the city and our "forest stewardship citizen program". Thanks to Doug, the BMXers know.

Speaking of forest stewardship: On Saturday, April 25, 10-2 you and your neighbors are invited to a "restoration" event at this same place to remove lots of these buggers. Come to the corner of NE 100th St and 171st Ave. NE by the LDS (Morman) Church lower parking lot. Make this your personal "Earth Day" event and have some neighborhood cookies, too!

THE WATER TENDERS

The following was contributed by Water Tenders:

WATER TENDERS is a grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of our aquatic resources with special focus on the Bear Creek Basin. We strive to provide a vehicle by which as many citizens as possible can become active participants in learning about and protecting our aquatic resources. There are many ways to become involved that range from reading our popular newsletter and participating in a few educational and work party events to attending planning and opportunity meetings.

Modest memberships and grants make it possible to continue our work in the Bear Creek Watershed. In 2008 we hosted over 400 people at the "Meet the Salmon" education event. We participate in Redmond Derby Days. We advocated for the state funding for Lower Bear Creek restoration (near Redmond Town Center). Restoration projects kept us busy near the headwaters of Bear Creek. We also presented well received lecture series on watershed topics.

The Water Tenders are leaders in the restoration of NW salmon stream habitat. This year we will partner with GreenRedmond on April 25 to restore critical areas of the Hartman Park Greenbelt. On May 30 we will have plans to partner with Redmond students, scouts and volunteers to continue our restoration of Cold Creek Natural Area in Woodinville.

For details on Water Tender restoration events, the Newsletter, and how to be a member, please visit the Water Tenders website.

Mary Marsh's Bio-Chem students learn about stream habitat restoration.

This is a slide show of the "Roberts Creek Restoration" project organized by the Water Tenders of Bear Creek Basin. The Water Tenders worked last year in partnership with Redmond High School teacher Mary Marsh's Bio-Chem class. The students you see Juniors. It was a smashing success. Look for video clips toward the end of the show.

These students are "mulching" to keep the plant roots moist and weed-free. It's one of the final stages of restoration. The first stage of restoration is removal of non-native, invasive vegetation (blackberries, reed canary grasses, and ivy are common). Invasive plants strangle trees and harm salmon habitat. The second stage is Fall planting of native shrubs and sapling trees. Native plants help keep the stream water cold for salmon and stream beds clean for salmon hatching. Mulching, monitoring, and maintenance are the final stages of restoration.




The Marchione Administration has begun a restoration program to keep our City Park greenbelts healthy. If you want to participate, stay tuned or click the link. Visit the Water Tender's site to learn about their 4/30 event.

Do you have a comment?

What's going wrong with Redmond's Commissions? What's right?

2/6, UPDATED OPINION: Commissioners are mostly Redmond residents who volunteer their time to participate with staff, elected officials and citizens in decision-making and city planning. They are appointed by the Mayor with the blessing of the Council and sworn in. Their terms vary and vacancies are hard to anticipate so it's best to put early word into the Mayor's office. Commissioners are some of my most favorite citizen volunteers. I love them dearly. Read this story about long-time commission Chairs Martin Snodgrass and his spouse, Lori.

But, this 'sermon' is about city problems with the management of Commissions by our one-year old Administration. According to the Parks & Trails commission website Chair Sue Stewart of Parks and Trails has been a commissioner for almost 6 years. Ms. Stewart likes to make oral presentations at council meetings and I could swear remembering her quoting a much longer Parks commission term than 6 years. Peter MacDonald, Vice Chair of Parks and Trails and friend and political ally of the Mayor and according to their website has been a commissioner for about five years. Peter would be an excellent citizen to get to know if you want to be a Parks & Trails Commissioner or Youth Advocate. A Youth Advocate position is open. Council blessing of the non-resident commissioner appointee is soon.

Unfortunately, it's too late to apply for the Parks & Trails vacancy. The Commission went outside their normal selection standards (see comments - non-residents are allowed) and got permission from the Mayor to appoint a citizen not residing in Redmond. The Parks Director justified it by claiming the nominee lived near a trail the city was interested in acquiring. I don't think non-resident commissioners are good policy. Redmond has plenty of tax-paying citizens who would probably love the opportunity to give input on our many splendored parks. I don't believe parks commissioners should enter the commission with a special interest, especially, when they live outside the city.

A serious problem for the Parks & Trail Commission in 2008 has been the loss of the "public record" for the last six months of their regular meetings. The commission is required to tape their regular meetings for the public record. Weeks ago, I asked the Parks Secretary for two meeting tapes. I found NOTHING taped on their digital recorder or analog recorder for the last six meetings. The council Ombudsman-of-the-month's answer was "we all learned from the experience." No public Ombudsman report was given. No commitment to fix the problem was promised. To this day, I haven't received an apology or even acknowledgment from the Parks Director or Parks Commission Chair or the Mayor. Loss of 6 months public record is serious.

I knew I did something good for the city during this discovery, as follows: 1) I actively participated in the governing process by attempting to listen to meeting tapes and catch up on P&T meetings for the Eastern Park Corridor Program and Downtown Park, 2) I spent 3 hours of my personal time trying to help the city trouble-shoot and quantify the lose of public record. 3) I reported the problem through proper channels -- didn't jump to my blog. What resulted? Not one genuine thank you from the city nor promise the recorder would be fixed.

In my five years of active participation and reporting on the city, I've found a dysfunctional governing pattern -- The city's approach to a citizen reporting errors and omissions is to brush them under the carpet rather than give them even hushed appreciation. Such apathy and disregard for constructive citizen participation results in mediocrity and public dis-engagement within our government.

Redmond sponsors 9 Commissions. None are paid. Of the commissions I'm most familiar with, the entire Planning Commission is dedicated and professional, giving much of their time in meetings every week. Presently, they are looking to expeditiously fill one position. They are my favorite commission because I learn the most from them. They conduct Public Hearings, make Land Use decisions, and set land use policy.

The only problem I have with the Planning Commission is staff - NOT the commissioners! Last week staff interfered and discouraged my public testimony, at times. The Principal Planners gave me help when I didn't want it and didn't give me help when I needed it. During the Stream Map Hearing, to prepare, I asked as week in advance for known Stream Maps from three planners and an engineer. We used these maps during a tour with Kathy Lambert. Twenty minutes before the Hearing a Principal Planner told me flatly that they "didn't get them all". I'm guessing the Mayor was taking a stand on "the Rock of public records."

The map they gave me was so large it couldn't be projected on an overhead. Despite this, a second Principal Planner barged onto the podium, unannounced, interrupting my testimony while he was trying to position the large map! He interrupted me just when I was starting to talk about some observations of the lay of the land near our aquifer. For me, his abrupt, unasked for "help" confirmed the city may still have quality issues with our aquifer. My testimony was unscientific and anecdotal and I had rights to be fully heard. The principal planner's subtle interference was uncalled for. Some of these planners are paid over $95,000 for services rendered to taxpayers.

My last beef with staff at the Planning Commission Hearing was their lack of professional courtesy. I wanted to familiarize myself with the overhead projector before the meeting but a second Principal Planner brushed me aside saying they were too busy now and to come back. Three staff proceeded to huddle around the projector, blocking me off, until the Hearing started. Once I got to the podium various staff were all over me in front of the camera - interrupting, correcting me and fixing the projector, adjusting the microphone, putting unwanted maps on the projector, and mostly trying to give me the help I needed before my testimony. This behavior is a sorry example of poor service to a rare citizen with guts and time enough to approach the podium...... It would have been one thing if said staff were interns, associates, or even senior planners. But two highly paid Principal Planners were "helping me". I've seen other citizens fumbling at the start of their talk, also. It would not take much to fix this and so encourage citizen participation.

Not to forget, the Arts Commission is one of my favorites, too. They are looking for two new commissioners and one Youth Advocate. They hold three public meetings on RCTV. The Planning Commission is on RCTV most every Wednesday night at 7PM. The Parks & Trails Commission NEVER conducts their meetings on RCTV. Their website is incomplete and innacurate. What does this tell you? All said and done, I absolutely adore, admire and appreciate the commissions and every hour of volunteer work our commissioners give to our city. I love going to their meetings or listening to them. I think staff should do a better job servicing, acknowledging, recognizing, and empowering our invaluable human resources of caring citizens - espectially sworn volunteers.

Apply and sign-up for a commissioner or youth advocate position here.

Apply and sign-up for the nonprofit Water Tenders Youth Advocate position at the web site.
Water Tenders is a small group of passionate citizens compelled to sustain and protect local Bear Creek Basin habitats in Redmond. My daughter is a youth advocate.

CC: Mayor John Marchione ; Redmond City Council; City Clerk, OMBUDSMAN
RAC@redmond.gov, planningcommission@redmond.gov, parksandtrailscommission@redmond.gov

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Comments are encouraged below or by emailing me at REDMONDBLOG@GMAIL.COM for posting on this page.

UPDATED: Evans Creek - Where is it? Where does it go? What went wrong?

OPINION:



click on the pics to enlarge









Can you guess where Evans Creek is in this picture?

Find a graphic satellite map HERE of Evans Creek running through the industrial park and connecting with Bear Creek. Can you find the confluence of Bear & Evans Creek on Keller Farm on the left of the map? Zoom in. Can you can find the stream culvert and creek banks?

Evans Creek is a important salmon-bearing stream located in SE Redmond. The picture on the right is the beginning of Evans Creek near the county - city border. This photo was taken on the historic Red Brick Road looking west. See the beaver dam? You pass over Evans Creek everytime you drive on Union Hill Road near 192nd Avenue NE, just south of the Red Brick Road. Another good landmark is Legacy Roofing.

In the photo on the left, Evans Creek is further downstream into the industrial park running through a pipe (culvert) under the gravel road. A small bridge over Evans Creek is marked by orange posts. The creek flows left (west) under the tiny bridge & parallel to NE 84th Street through this industrial business and several others. About a half mile downstream adjacent Millennium Park it connects with Bear Creek on Keller Farm.

Bear Creek and Evans Creek are state and city protected salmon-bearing streams. Federally endangered wild Chinook salmon run through the Evans Creek industrial area on their way to spawn upstream. I don't know how far they make it. Evans Creek is supposed to have a 150 -200 foot buffer but the industrial businesses on 84th Street have been grandfathered for scores of years with a 25 foot buffer. As you see from the left photos the 25-foot buffers have been ignored by the landowners and city. Trucks, junk and debris sit directly on top of the bank.

Without a buffer, the salmon and other in-stream critters and wildlife lose the natural "riparian" food and protections they would have received from trees, shrubs, logs, and spongy earthen banks. Every truck, car, and piece of junk on the stream bank contributes to polluted run-off into Evans. The city's Department of Natural Resources has a distant goal to re-locate Evans Creek north and away from the industrial park. The stream banks could be restored with 200 foot buffers. The business owners land values on NE 84th Street would increase, too, and redevelopment would be possible. If you want to send a message to the city about Evans Creek buffers contact Code Enforcement Officer Carl McArthy or Mayor John Marchione. "What went wrong" with the buffers was not Mayor John Marchione's doing. (In this photo, the creek runs right to left between the trucks/cars and the trees).

6/3/08 Planning Commission's report (currently under review by Council): "[The Planning Commission] did however, discuss the issue of how to address existing industrial users along Evans Creek and the Sammamish River. The Planning Commission acknowledged lands zoned for these users are limited, and it is appropriate to allow these structures to continue to operate and possibly expand under certain circumstances."
- 2007 Shoreline Master Program Update staff report is (here)
At the 6/3 council meeting, Councilman Cole mildly reasserted the Planning Commission's recommendations. Councilman Myers said he wasn't interested in the Shoreline plan going to court. Councilwomen McCormick & Allen discussed holding multiple study sessions. The Department of Ecology Hearing and final decision will be made by December 1, 2009. Comments can be sent to Cathy Beam, Redmond Environmental Principal Planner and David Pater, State Ecology Shoreline Planning Manager. A statement by Mr. Pater is under "comments".

State Department of Ecology Website: Shoreline Master Program (SMP)
King County Website: Evans Creek Natural Area
If you or your friends and family are interested in taking a closer look at Evans Creek, the Water Tenders (a local nonprofit that cares about Bear Creek Basin), is sponsoring a car tour of the Evans Creek riparian corridor this Sunday afternoon, June 8. Please contact Bob Yoder (me) for details.