Public Comment Highlights; Next Steps – May Update
Ally groups join PMBC to demand an Environmental Impact Statement
City staff posted public comments on the proposed subdivision “The Woods at Viewcrest” that they received through April 25. You can view these comments under the "Public Comments Received" section of the city's project page at https://cob.org/project/the-woods-at-viewcrest.
Your public comment has been extraordinary. Thank you for your incredible outpouring of concern!
Over one thousand people have signed PMBC’s petition to require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed project.
Dozens of us sent emails and letters urging city officials to protect Mud Bay Cliffs and the surrounding forest and wetland habitats.
PMBC volunteers crafted detailed letters documenting errors and omissions with the developer’s application, including non-compliance with federal, state and local laws — more on this below.
PMBC was joined by other environmental organizations calling for an EIS:
Mt Baker Sierra Club 4/22 letter: https://bit.ly/Sierra-letter
RE Sources 4/22 letter: https://bit.ly/ReSources-letter
Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee 4/23 letter: https://bit.ly/MRC-letter
In addition, the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation recommended the developer conduct “Additional archaeological survey for planned activities crossing and within the shoreline area – including storm drainage…”:
WA State Dept of Archaeology & Historic Preservation 3/27 letter: https://bit.ly/DAHP-letter
Next Steps – Take Action!
Comments Can Still Be Submitted! The city will continue to accept public comments until they are ready to take further action. We have no way of knowing when that will be, but it’s likely to occur in the next several weeks. Therefore, you can continue to submit letters or emails and to sign PMBC’s petition. After you read the documents that PMBC submitted (links below), you may have additional comments you’d like to let the city know about!
Sign/share the petition here: https://mudbaycliffs.org/petition
See a sample letter here: https://mudbaycliffs.org/updates/example-letter-public-comment
PMBC will continue to closely monitor developments as the city considers all application materials and public comments, and conducts an environmental review. We’ll alert you when more information becomes available.
PMBC’s Documents: Legal Issues with Application
On April 24, PMBC volunteers submitted a package of documents — over 450 pages — which firmly establishes the case for the city to issue a Determination of Significance for this project under the State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA), based on the significant adverse environmental impacts the proposed subdivision would likely impose.
PMBC’s comprehensive public comment submittal for the proposed project’s administrative record can be viewed at https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/public-comment-PMBC.pdf. The Table of Contents of page 4 of the PDF contains links to each Exhibit. Simply click on the Exhibit Description to navigate to the exhibit you select.
Spotlight: Many supporters have been especially interested in the letter submitted by PMBC’s land use attorney, Seattle-based Bricklin & Newman. This letter outlines many of the legal issues with the application and notes that making a well-warranted SEPA Determination of Significance now will save the city valuable time and resources in the long run. You can read this letter at Exhibit Q on page 399 of PMBC’s submittal at https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/public-comment-PMBC.pdf.