HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_Duwamish_Comment_Letter_210401.pdfFrom: Andrew Grueter <ecotours@duwamishtribe.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 1, 2021 4:06 PM
To: Matthew Herrera
Cc: Steven Mullen-Moses; CityClerk; John Boddy; 'James Rasmussen'
Subject: PR19-000306
Attention: Matt Herrera, Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
RE: PR19-000306
RESPONSE:
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment. Based on the information provided and our
understanding of the project and its APE, we in strong opposition to the development of such a large
building, parking lot and such substantial impacts to the shoreline and waters of the Cedar River.
Additionally, this location is extremely close to the Duwamish village of Sqʷuʔalqʷuʔ which is an area
the Duwamish Tribe considers culturally significant and has a high probability to have unknown
archaeological deposits.
Your city’s own assessment is that this area is within the floodplain of the Cedar River. Additionally,
filling in the site with other material is a practice with a long history of pollution, and degradation of
wetlands/riparian areas. Not only is it ecologically destructive, but it does not work sustainably. Visit any
of the office parks located in the Renton/Newcastle area that were constructed on filled wetlands/riparian
zones and you can see the sediment sinking as additionaly layers of asphault are needed to smooth the
cracking parking lot. The runoff alone from the vehicles in such a large parking lot will be harmful to the
Cedar River and Lake Washington, where endangered Salmon species still struggle to return each year.
However, if this project moves through, or ther eare any future projects on site, we recommend an
archaeological survey be conducted in consultation with the Duwamish Tribal council and historic
preservation. If any archaeological work is performed, we request notification. An IDP should not be used
in lieu of archeological investigation. Cultural and archaeological resources are non-renewable and are
best discovered prior to ground disturbance.
Thank You,
DUWAMISH TRIBE
4705 W. Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106-1514
206 431.1582
Duwamish Tribe Cultural Preservation
John Boddy, johnboddy@duwamishtribe.org
James Rassmussen, james@duwamishcleanup.org
Duwamish Tribe
Chairwoman, Cecile Hansen
Tribal Council Members
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