In contrast to every other quickly rising metropolis, Seattle lives subsequent door to the critically endangered southern resident killer whales.
In June, state Rep. Gerry Pollet’s memo to the Seattle Metropolis Council made clear that Seattle is remitted by Home Invoice 1110 and the Progress Administration Act to guard bushes, stating that “lot protection rules might concurrently enable for preserving tree cover and lowering dangerous runoff.”
Dangerous runoff is straight affecting the well being of our SRKWs. The Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Restoration Plan recognized stormwater air pollution as a significant component of declining orca well being in Puget Sound.
In early 2025, a citywide enchantment of the Complete Plan Environmental Impression Assertion was filed, asking Seattle to review how elevated tree loss and stormwater runoff would have an effect on our ecosystems. The enchantment was grounded in science, public well being, and NOAA’s SRKW restoration plan.
King County Superior Court docket threw out the case, setting the damaging precedent that the general public could be denied a good listening to on main environmental selections.
An enchantment was filed with the Washington State Court docket of Appeals. This enchantment fights for everybody’s proper to face up for the atmosphere. Study extra at orcaappeal.org.
Judy Akalaitis, Seattle
