(See Petition Link Last Paragraph)
by Sue Danver and Sam Merrill – BHAS has been coordinating with the Friends of Rocky Prairie (FORP) in an effort to convince the Board of Thurston County Commissioners (BoCC) to keep the Port of Tacoma (POT) property zoned rural rather than changed to industrial. If the BoCC chooses to put the rezone request on the 2020-2021 docket, then the County would analyze the impact of a 6 million square foot (or more) warehouse facility. This development would result in an estimated 470 acres of impervious surface (out of the property’s 745). This would be a devastating decision for an area with a high water table with nearby wetlands that support Federally Threatened species, such as the Oregon Spotted Frog.
BHAS, the Sierra Club, the Olympia League of Women Voters, two local bicycle clubs, and the Center for Biological Diversity (a national organization) are some of the organizations that have joined the Coalition to Protect Rocky Prairie from NorthPoint’s industrialization. BHAS sent a resolution to the Thurston County Commissioners specifying its concerns regarding industrialization of the POT property. Our resolution states in part:
WHEREAS the Maytown property (745 acres) is part of an extensive, rare and valuable wildlife corridor for animal movement between the WDFW West Rocky Prairie preserve (810 acres) to the south and habitats to the north in Millersylvania State Park (842 acres), the McIntosh Family Tree Farm (1200 acres), Wolf Haven, and the WDNR Rocky Prairie Natural Area Preserve, and
WHEREAS an industrial zoning designation at the Maytown site is not compatible with wildlife and citizen’s water needs, because development would alter the natural hydrologic cycle, degrade water quality, threaten species habitat, and endanger drinking-water supply wells,
THEREFORE be it resolved that the Black Hills Audubon Society hereby requests that the Thurston County Commissioners retain the current, appropriate zoning for the site, Rural Residential 1 per 20, rather than amending the comprehensive plan to change the zoning to Rural Resource Industrial.
The BoCC is expected to vote on the NorthPoint request in January or early February. The Coalition and its members are asking the Commissioners to not docket this issue, recognizing that NorthPoint’s plans violate both the spirit and the letter of the Growth Management Act.
In early December, BHAS’ hydrogeologist, Jim Mathieu, will provide the County a description of the potential impact of the warehouse development on the water conditions of the neighboring Wildlife Area property, the critical area wetlands north of the warehouse area on the POT property, local wells, and Deep Lake at Millersylvania State Park.
FORP and BHAS also designed three postcards with beautiful prairie photos by Dennis Plank and Rod Gilbert. Pre-addressed to the County Commissioners, these postcards were given to citizens who want to protect prairies and the rural zoning around Millersylvania State Park. People are/were encouraged to express their love of the area and/or object to the hazards expected with the industrial development. Providing specific complaints, however, is difficult because the applicant avoided naming any specific proposals on the application form.
In addition, FORP and BHAS have been circulating a petition at meetings and other events, which requests that the BoCC keep the rural zoning of the Port of Tacoma property. Over the fall, volunteers have been collecting hard copy signatures. But with winter’s darkness and the approaching Commissioners’ decision, FORP and BHAS are now encouraging people to sign the petition online by going to www.friendsofrockyprairie/petition. Even if you sent the BHAS emergency message in April, please sign the online petition, and forward it on to friends!!. The two petition efforts are independent of each other. We will be sending out an alert shortly. FORP and BHAS also designed three postcards with beautiful prairie photos by Dennis Plank and Rod Gilbert. Pre-addressed to the County Commissioners, these postcards were given to citizens who want to protect prairies and the rural zoning around Millersylvania State Park. People are/were encouraged to express their love of the area and/or object to the hazards expected with the industrial development. Providing specific complaints, however, is difficult because the applicant avoided naming any specific proposals on the application form.
