Mt. Erie Logging Proposed - Action Alert!

 Over the last months it has become clear that Mt. Erie, an awesome climbing area near the town of Anacortes, Washington, is under threat. An organization has proposed a logging operation followed by the construction of a development directly below Mt. Erie's south face. Following is a letter and some information about what you can do to stop this!

Friends of Mt Erie - 

As you may be aware, the Skagit Planning and Development Services (PDS) has determined that the application to log 40 acres of timber directly below the south face of Mt. Erie does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment (PL13-0102 & BP13-0136). As a result, an environmental impact statement is not required.

The organization Evergreen Islands (http://www.evergreenislands.org/) is appealing this determination. The hearing for the appeal was recently changed from a private to a public hearing.

As a result, public commentary for the hearing is being accepted by attendance, by letter, or at the PDS website (http://www.skagitcounty.net/Common/Asp/Default.asp?d=PlanningAndPermit&c=General&p=commentsform.htm).

 Comments are due by September 24th.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that your voice be heard on this issue. Further information about the appeal and how to communicate is included below. Also, please pass this message on to anyone else you know who may want to comment.

Thank you,

Stan

Notice is hereby given that the Skagit County Hearing Examiner will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in the Board of County Commissioners Hearing Room, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, Washington, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or soon thereafter, for the purpose of determining the following:

A. Open Record Appeal PL13-0281 submitted by Evergreen Islands of a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) threshold determination of a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) for forest practice conversion application PL13-0102 and grading permit application BP13-0136 filed by Mr. Frank Harkness proposing harvest of timber and subsequent residential development of the forested 40 acre parcel south of Mount Erie. The subject site is located north and adjacent to 5285 Campbell Lake Road Drive within a portion of the Northwest quarter of Section 12, Township 34 North, Range 1 East, Skagit County, WA (Parcel P19301). Staff Contact: John Cooper

The Public Notice for the Mount Erie Appeal states that the hearing will be an Open Record hearing, and it also states, “Your views for or against the requests are invited either by attendance, representation or letter.”

Comments and/or facsimiles must be received by this office no later than 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 24, 2013 or be presented at the public hearing. Email correspondence will not be accepted however comments may be submitted with the PDS website under the current legal notices tab.

Some of the pertinent topics for commenting are as follows:

10. Aesthetics

b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed?

12. Recreation

a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate vicinity?

b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe.

13. Historic and cultural preservation

a. Are there any places or objects listed on, or proposed for, national, state, or local preservation registers known to be on or next to the site? If so, generally describe.

b. Generally describe any landmarks or evidence of historic, archaeological, scientific, or cultural importance known to be on or next to the site.