Edmonds-Mukilteo Action Committee

Hello Horseman’s Trail Neighbors!

Snohomish County has finally decided to require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Horseman’s Trail; however the EIS that they are currently requiring is not a full EIS, despite requests from hundreds of local residents for a full EIS. It is very limited in scope. Snohomish County has identified only one area for discussion in the EIS: “EARTH – Grading in the amount of 285,000 cubic yards of cut and fills in a steeply sloped area adjacent to existing residences.”

We urge you to send a letter or email to Bob Pemberton requesting that the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement for Horseman’s Trail be expanded to include other critical issues, for example the effect of the proposed 116-home subdivision on Picnic Point Creek, a salmon-bearing stream that is in danger of losing its salmon population, and the impact of adding 1,100 plus car trips on our already crowded narrow roads. We have included some sample text below for your use. Please use your own words or cut and paste selected text into a new email or letter and send it to Bob Pemberton @ Snohomish County.
The deadline for written comments is May 30, 2007.

Snohomish County Planning and Development Services
Attention: Bob Pemberton
3000 Rockefeller Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
Email: robert.pemberton@co.snohomish.wa.us

Bob Pemberton’s fax: 425-388-3872
Bob Pemberton’s phone: 425-388-3311, ext. 2764

Thank you for helping to save our neighborhood and our environment!

SAMPLE TEXT FOR LETTER:

Dear Mr. Pemberton,

I understand that the Environmental Impact Statement for Horseman’s Trail is very limited in scope and only addresses one issue: grading. I request that the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement for Horseman’s Trail be expanded to include the following areas for analysis: natural environment, transportation, and public services and utilities.

Picnic Point Creek flows directly into Puget Sound and is a salmon-bearing stream. It needs to be protected from surface runoff, sedimentation, and other development hazards. Horseman’s Trail is surrounded by Native Growth Protection Areas and a designated wetland. How will these be affected by the clear cutting of 19 acres of trees? The road capacity of 60th Ave W and Picnic Point Road needs to be further studied. There are few sidewalks on Picnic Point Road and there are two elementary schools located on the road to Horseman’s Trail. How will an additional 1100+ car trips on local roads affect traffic and safety during rush hour and drop-off and pick-up times at the two elementary schools? How will the current congestion at the intersection of Picnic Point Road and Beverly Park Road during rush hour be addressed? There are limited bike lanes and no transit facilities nearby. There is currently a sewer moratorium in the area. All of these issues need to be discussed in the EIS.
Thank you for considering my comments. I wish to be a “party of record” for Horseman’s Trail.

Sincerely, Your name and address and your email address (optional)