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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 CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Renton. Do not click links, reply or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.