Cascade Gateway Foundation members appreciated the July 27

editorial regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for

the massive mining project proposed for Grouse Ridge, and we agree that,

“objective criticism, not emotion, is more valuable.”

Actually, most of the “subjective furor” mentioned was ignited by

the manner in which this scheme was sprung upon us. Remember that

the public first learned of it in the April 1998, “Memorandum of

Understanding”, that had been developed

behind closed doors and carried the signatures of officials we assumed we’d

elected to represent us: County Executive Ron Sims and Land Commissioner

Jennifer Belcher. Apparently convinced that all parties would applaud the

plan, Sims and Belcher obliged their offices to cooperate with Weyerhaeuser in

a complex transaction featuring land swaps and “biosolids,” as well as

the massive mining plan. The signature of Jim Ellis, no doubt, anesthetized

citizens, environmental groups and media who would otherwise have

assumed independent and critical positions.

Those of us who have studied the DEIS agreed with the statement that

it is, “one of the most confusing documents of this type I have ever

read.” It’s also sloppy and incomplete, which presents major problems for

citizens trying to analyze and respond to it in just six weeks. For example, it’s

difficult to challenge the environmental impacts of a conveyor running

from the rim of Grouse Ridge to the lower site by Trucktown when its route

remains a mystery! A homeowner seeking to build a deck must submit

far more detailed plans to DDES than a corporation desiring to establish

a gravel mine larger than downtown Seattle. Citizens who read in the PI

last month that many employees of that department are convinced that it

favors developers over citizens should find this chilling.

Under the State Environmental Protection Act, (SEPA)

WAC197-11-400, “Environmental impact statements shall be concise, clear, and

to the point, and shall be supported by the necessary environmental

analysis.” We don’t think the DEIS meets this standard. County residents should

realize that although DDES will pay the consulting firm that authored the

DEIS (Dames & Moore), the money actually comes from Cadman. The old

saying, “He who pays the piper calls the tune”, comes to mind. Nonetheless,

as lead agency, DDES is responsible for insuring that all the provisions

of SEPA are observed. We will be watching every step of the way.

The Snoqualmie Valley Record is performing a critical service for

our community in covering the Grouse Ridge controversy, and we hope

you will keep it up.

Jeff Martine

President

Cascade Gateway Foundation