SEPA Checklist issue . . . November 18, 2016

Hello Neighbors!

We need you to help show the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER) that there are in fact Chinook salmon and steelhead in the Raging River. And that birds other than songbirds, and wildlife other than deer on properties near the quarry property.

DPER is getting closer to making their decision regarding the next step in the proposed permit application for the quarry expansion.

The quarry submitted their SEPA checklist. The SEPA checklist is an environmental review that the owner provides during the permit application process. It provides an overview of environmental issue to take into consideration during the review process. SEPA review leads to a recommendation regarding need for new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The SEPA checklist (you can read the full SEPA checklist by clicking on this link: SEPA checklist ) that the quarry submitted has discounted the fact that there are any fish/endangered species in the Raging River (Chinook salmon and steelhead are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act) and has stated that deer and songbirds are the only wildlife.

We need your help NOW!

Please help us show DPER that there are fish in the river and wildlife in the area. Send DPER your photos and / or stories. Examples are stories and/or photos (date stamped if possible) of salmon, herons, eagles, hawks, owls, bears, cougars, bobcats, etc. etc.

Reference 'SEPA CHECKLIST' and send your stories and photos to:

1. Person to contact regarding the permit expansion at the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER):
   
   Fereshteh Dehkordi fereshteh.dehkordi@kingcounty.gov
   Project Manager, DPER - Resource Product Line
2. Person in charge of assuring that the current quarry operates within code regulations at the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER):
   
   Fred White Fred.White@kingcounty.gov
3. Kathy Lambert, King County Councilperson kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov
   It is very important that we let our King County Councilperson know that we are very concerned about the issues raised by the current quarry and their ability to maintain operations within current code ordinances as well as what this could mean should the quarry be allowed to expand.
4. Please copy us in (it is helpful for us to keep track of the ongoing issues):

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The bigger picture:

If the proposed expansion happens, it will forever scar the landscape along the Raging River, potentially damage prime salmon spawning habitat, add up to 120 trucks a day driving through our roads, potentially add rock dust to our air.

Let's save the Raging River!

Thank you!
Raging River Conservation Group