Wakeboard project doesn’t need environmental study MONROE - The city will not require the developers of a proposed wakeboard park at Lake Tye to conduct an environmental impact statement.
Brad Feilberg, the city’s public works director, released the finding last week. The finding says the project wouldn’t have a significant impact on the lake.
This Determination of Non-Significance will allow the project to move forward into the next phase without having to do an environmental impact statement (EIS).
Environmentalists have expressed concern with the environmental checklist that Feilberg based his decision on.
Wildlife biologist Martha Jordan said there were “huge errors in the document.”
Jordan studies trumpeter swans and said several significant plant and animal species were not included in the developer’s checklist, such as bald eagles, which are known to nest near the lake.
Residents have been publicly voicing their concerns regarding the possible upset of the lake’s ecosystem and peaceful environment since the wakeboard park’s proposal was introduced.
Several residents spoke at a June council meeting regarding their concern about noise levels, the possibly unsightly cable rigging of the park, swimmer safety, parking availability, traffic and environmental hazards, such as bank erosion.
The project would take up about 17 acres of the 42-acre lake and would build a cable-tow wakeboard ride supported by six towers and a beginner cable line supported by two towers in the southern portion of the lake. The ride would include trick features and a 2,500-square-foot pro shop would be built for ticket and retail sales, restrooms, lockers and office.
The applicant says the lake would continue to be used for its “primary function of storm water management.”
Jordan said last week that she isn’t sure yet if she will appeal the Determination of Non-Significance, but she wants to.
“I’m very frustrated with what has happened,” she said. “Clearly they’ve made their decision and they’re just going through the formalities because they have to.”
Jordan has been in talks with the Pilchuck Audobon regarding the possibility of filing an appeal and said she plans to at least pick up appeal paperwork this week.
Feilberg said there is a 14-day comment period and a 15-day appeal period following the publication of the finding, which was released Tuesday, Sept. 18.
H30, the company proposing the wakeboard park, has said it wants to begin construction in October.
Should someone decide to challenge the determination, an appeal would be heard before a hearing examiner, currently John Galt.
The City Council terminated Galt’s contract, to which he responded with a letter of resignation before he even received the city’s termination letter.
Galt’s last day will be Tuesday, Oct. 23.
