Defending Mud Bay
THE TIME IS NOW TO PROTECT MUD BAY
Five years ago, a small group of concerned neighbors created Protect Mud Bay Cliffs (PMBC) to protect the bay and its forested uplands by opposing the current plans for The Woods at Viewcrest subdivision. Today, PMBC is celebrating how far we’ve come in reaching that goal.
If you read the January 17 update from Protect Mud Bay Cliffs (PMBC), then you know we successfully completed the SEPA Appeal Hearing. During this hearing, PMBC’s attorneys challenged the City’s failure to require an environmental impact statement (EIS).
Additionally, PMBC successfully recruited a cadre of supporters to speak out against the permit applications at the public Land-Use Hearing. They urged the Hearing Examiner to reject the developer’s requests for special exemptions and variances that would allow the project to bypass current laws and regulations.
Both hearings concluded on Friday, January 16 after five days of complex legal proceedings. Despite the City’s immense resources and the developer’s deep pockets, PMBC had something more formidable on our side, namely science, law, and a strong legal team combined with a large community of supporters.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Hearing Examiner expects to deliver her decision on both the SEPA appeal and the permit applications by March 31, 2026. Until then, PMBC and our legal team must prepare and submit a litany of legal documents to include:
a final closing brief;
rebuttals to the City’s and the developer’s arguments disputing our appeal;
counterarguments defending why we believe the proposed subdivision should not receive the exemptions and variances being requested to circumvent local laws.
Unfortunately, we must actively fundraise to cover current costs accrued from the hearings as well as the mounting costs for developing and submitting our closing documents. Our funds are so depleted that it will be difficult to move forward without your financial help.
HELP US USE THE POWER OF THE LAW TO DEFEND MUD BAY
If you have yet to make a donation to PMBC, please know that now is the time. Your contributions, no matter how large or small, are critical to ensuring that the City and the developer are held accountable to federal, state and local laws designed to protect Mud Bay and the neighboring community.
To make a tax-deductible donation, visit MudBayCliffs.org/join-in and click on the yellow Donate button. Instructions to donate by mail are also available at the same link. Every donation we receive moves us one step closer to reaching our goal.
SINCERE THANKS
Your support remains the reason we are still in this fight and winning key battles. Thank you again for your commitment and generosity. PMBC greatly appreciates all your support.
As always, please contact us at info@mudbaycliffs.org if you have questions or need further information.
Warm wishes,
PMBC’s Coordination Committee