Falls Crossing, the massive proposed mixed-use office

park/housing development currently under consideration, is attracting closer scrutiny

by several Washington state agencies.

The Department of Community, Trade and Economic

Development and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, for the state of Washington,

have recently voiced their concerns with the current proposed Falls

Crossing project as reported in the Feb. 3 edition of the Valley Record. The

article goes on to quote both Allyson Brooks (Ph.D., state historic preservation

officer) and Carol Bordin (area habitat biologist) in separate letters

addressed to Mayor Randy Fletcher, Nancy Tucker (director of planning and

parks for the city of Snoqualmie), and the Snoqualmie Planning

Commission, respectively.

In her letter dated Jan. 14, Ms. Bordin states, “The Falls

Crossing mixed-use proposal is located in an area wherein lies several critical

and priority habitats utilized by endangered, threatened, and candidate

species of fish and wildlife.” She also points out that, “Several millions

of people visit the Snoqualmie Falls Park to view the dramatic cascading

water as it falls over its upstream channel.”

In light of these statements, it seems clear to me that the citizens

of Snoqualmie need to take a closer look at what our state officials are

saying. After all, what will future generations say of us if we, the people

of Snoqualmie, fail to meet what I believe is our moral obligation to

protect this pristine land. It is my view that we all need to carefully

consider the potential long-range ramifications should this project be

recommended for approval by the members of the Snoqualmie Planning Commission.

Let’s not rush to judgment. Let’s be prudent. For in the end, it is

my belief that future generations will long remember the choices we make

today regarding this project.

Let’s not disappoint them.

Elliot Weinstein

Snoqualmie