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Jill Ding
From:CED Planning Customer Service
Sent:Monday, July 14, 2025 3:25 PM
To:Jill Ding
Subject:FW: Longacres concerns!
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
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Planning Customer Service
City of Renton | CED | Planning Division | BB
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From: salamanderwater <salamanderwater@proton.me>
Sent: Thursday, July 3, 2025 4:33 PM
To: CED Planning Customer Service <PlanningCustomerService@rentonwa.gov>; Council DL <council@rentonwa.gov>;
Code Compliance <codecompliance@Rentonwa.gov>; district@kingcd.org
Cc: info@forterra.org
Subject: Longacres concerns!
Hello.
I'm a resident who frequents* the Longacres ponds and wetlands to walk and appreciate wildlife and native plants,
and get a break from the city.
I have had concerns and questions about how the wetlands, ponds and surrounding landscape are managed.
Additionally, I saw the Proposed Land Use action poster and I would like to submit comment and concern about
building and human development of the area. I am deeply concerned!
This is critical habitat, especially with the proximity to the Black River Riparian Forest.
I do not support further construction that destroys, impedes or weakens the existing wildlife habitat and potential for
enhancing habitat. There is so little space available for wildlife, we must do what we can to support what is already
there, and do more restoration especially in areas where those efforts will have the most impact, like the Longacres
area. Additionally there is so little green space available in close proximity for humans, which is scientifically proven
to be critical for our mental and physical health.
It doesn't appear to me as if the area is being managed in a way supportive to and aligned with the ecosystem
function. For example...many trees in the wetland have been cut down for no apparent reason and when they are
cut down they are cut to stumps without leaving a snag, which is critical for wildlife habitat and should be how trees
are managed in these environments. There has been mowing of emergent plants and wetland shrubs for reasons
that aren't apparent for ecological purpose, such as regeneration. I believe beaver trapping has occurred but the
State won't give me the details when I inquired about their signs posted near the ponds regarding traps.
Pyrotechnics are shot off to supposedly deter geese!...this harms other waterfowl in addition to geese! Flags are
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posted about the area being "treated" by a landscaping company and frequently I see an alarming amount of dead
moles.
This is a wetland and pond with fish habitat (see iMap) and a critical area! There are chorus frogs, raptors,
songbirds and waterfowl including green herons, buffleheads, mergansers, wood ducks and more. And I'm sure
other wildlife that remain inconspicuous.
Whenever I've walked there I've imagined and assumed some of the area west of the pond (in between pond and
train station) would eventually undergo more restoration. (There is already habitat and native plants in that area I
just assumed and imagined more would be done to strengthen it and the wetland.) It appears you are considering
allowing fancy buildings there!?! To make an investment company even richer! Please, how is this OK given the
critical area wetland, ponds and wildlife? I don't see how this could pass an environmental review. And
regardless...There is so little left for wildlife habitat, can't they at least have something?!?
I'm cc'ing Forterra on this because I read on the Sounders website under the "Sustainabiliy" tab of the
website https://www.soundersfc.com/clubhouse/sustainability...
"Between 2017-2021 we partnered with local nonprofit Forterra to plant over 1400 trees at four projects along the
Green-Duwamish River watershed that restored habitat, removed invasive species, and supported long term carbon
capture and sequestration"
What they are proposing to do at this Sounders location does not align with the values they stated and they should
not get to get away with doing harm while promoting their work with Forterra. Do they get to brag about planting
trees and restoring wetlands when they are cutting down trees and not managing their wetlands in a sustainable
ecological way and are allowing for further habitat destruction with this so-called development? It's hypocritical to
say the least.
I could not find a Sounders contact email for this property.
People care and are paying attention.
There is room to build housing that won't take away from this wildlife habitat. Leave housing for the animals. Leave
greenspace for humans.
*used to frequent. I don't even want to go there anymore because it is too sad and depressing and heartbreaking
what you are a proposing and seeing/hearing disrespect of the animals and ecosystem.