What the Falls Crossing EIS says

During the debate over the extension of the Falls Crossing public

hearing period, Puget Western attorney and spokesman Tom Pors

regularly stated that the issues of cultural resources and wildlife habitat had

been adequately addressed in the Falls Crossing Mixed Use Final Plan

Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS.

Threatened, endangered and priority species are covered on page

III-11 of the Final EIS, which states, in part, "The presence of pileated

woodpeckers indicates the likelihood of nesting activity on the site; nests

are protected from mid-March to mid-July."

Historic and cultural resource issues are addressed on page III-21,

stating in part, "The historic record does not indicate the presence of

permanent Indian settlement above Snoqualmie Falls, although it is probable

that the Snoqualmies used the general area (including the Falls Crossing

site) for hunting and gathering. Unknown resources of cultural significance

could be discovered during construction."

Pors also mentioned three procedures listed in the City of

Snoqualmie Planning and Parks Department Staff Report, page 127, which

identify proper treatment of historical and cultural resources. Two pertain to

tribal sites:

• "The Snoqualmie Tribe shall receive notice of clearing and

grading permit applications, and shall be given a reasonable opportunity to

survey and identify historic burial grounds or other sites that are likely to

contain artifacts of significant value to the Tribe.

• "If tribal sites or artifacts are discovered during construction, the

Applicant shall immediately stop construction in the affected area, shall

flag the area with construction tape or other identifying markers, shall

immediately inform the Snoqualmie Tribe and City of its discovery, and shall

otherwise comply with the requirements of RCW 27.53."

Section 53 of Chapter 27 of the Revised Code of Washington

(RCW) addresses archeological sites and resources and covers site

disturbances, field investigations and a large number of other subjects. It is available

for review on the City of Snoqualmie Web page under "city links,"

at www.ci.snoqualmie.wa.us.

According to Puget Western, these built-in protective and

procedural agreements adequately address the issues of habitat for the pileated

woodpecker and Snoqualmie tribal sites in the Falls Crossing development.

Therefore, there is no need for "studies on top of studies," as described by Pors.

Opponents of the project, however, continue to disagree.

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