Building a Better Bellevue (BBB) has come out with a piece that suggests that the South Bellevue Park and Ride in Bellevue could be returned to a park/wetland status if the B7R alignment is adopted for Sound Transit’s East Link light rail, utilizing the A2 station option.

Another aspect of this plan would be that the B7R alignment protects the only property on the National Register for Historic Preservation (NRHP) on the Eastside, by avoiding it altogether.

The B2M alignment would pass directly in front of the historic stucco house, and there is concern from historians that vibration from the trains would damage the stucco, and eventually require the house to be removed from NRHP status.

Muddying the (peat) water further (much of the land near Mercer Slough is a thick peat bog), is the fact that Sound Transit must show due diligence in a good faith effort to “avoid” historic properties when it accepts federal funds for transportation projects, per federal laws 106 and 4(f), or to show why it is “necessary” to choose an alignment that adversely impacts a historical property.

Sound Transit’s FEIS was just released; it remains to be seen whether they have proven their case regarding due diligence, when B7R has been studied to a 5% level of engineering, and B2M has been studied to a 30% level of engineering…

Additionally, a fact unacknowledged by supporters of B2M is that the B2M alignment actually utilizes land in the wetland on the east side of Bellevue Way and 112th Avenue…

See BBB’s article at www.betterbellevue.org :

“Rejuvenation and Revival of Mercer Slough Wilderness and Wetlands, Once B7R Is Implemented

Preserving Mercer Slough, and creating a unique Nature Park there, has been a vision and desire of many nature supporters starting from the 1960s. As time progressed and development pressures intensified in the late 1980s several major commercial developments were in preparation to be constructed in the Mercer Slough wetlands.  They included the Enatai Plaza Office Complex, Enatai Corporation Office Complex, White PUD and the North West Building Corporation Office Complex.

At that time a proactive group was formed called “Save the Mercer Slough Committee” — our objective to save the remaining lands of the Mercer Slough and ensure that they would forever be kept for the public benefit and enjoyment.

Working with the City, King County and The Trust for Public Lands we were successful in having Park bond measures placed on the ballot for public approval. The levies were approved and the remaining lands saved.

There was one significant piece of land, some 11.5 acres, located along Bellevue Way that had already been covered in asphalt for a Park and Ride facility. This was recognized by our committee and by the public at large as an environmentally damaging result for the Mercer Slough.

Fast forward to today as “Building a Better Bellevue” (BBB) and the majority of our City Council are supporting the B7R light rail alignment (along I-405) rather than Sound Transit’s B2M alignment along Bellevue Way that will result in further expansion of the existing Park and Ride facility, and thereby creating further damage and blight to the Mercer Slough.

The B7R alignment with a new Parking/Transit (A2) station  (on firm lands) near I-90 will result in the existing Park and Ride facility along Bellevue Way becoming redundant, with an attendant opportunity to remove the asphalt and return the 11.5 acres of land to a natural vegetative state to become part of a larger, better and  more complete Mercer Slough Nature Park.

As a steering committee member of BBB I whole-heartedly support the B7R alignment and of the opportunity to enhance the Mercer Slough Nature Park and protect the historical Winters House.”

~Geoffrey Bidwell, a Steering Committee member of BBB

and former Chair of the “Save the Mercer Slough Committee”

The City of Bellevue has strong new leadership tonight, as the duties of the Mayor were passed to Dr. Don Davidson, a longtime Bellevue Councilman who advocates for fiscal responsibility, a healthy business climate, and protection of Bellevue’s neighborhoods.

Longtime Bellevue Councilman Conrad Lee was also swept in as Deputy Mayor.

Both Councilmen were part of a Bellevue City Council majority that recently refused to raise taxes on Bellevue citizens in the currently depressed economic climate, and who are supportive of a Sound Transit light rail alignment through Bellevue that is intended to serve the region’s commuters, while doing a better job of protecting Bellevue’s businesses, historic resources, parks, wildlife & endangered species, natural resources and neighborhoods.

Last Saturday I went over 520 to Seattle at around 9:30AM & returned going Eastbound around noon. The eagle pair were there at both times hunting- one was perching on the north metal sculpture, the other, on the lamppost nearest the sculpture.

Why, I wonder, does environmental law only protect where an endangered species nests, and not where the species hunts? Doesn’t the availability of their food source impact  a species as much as where to nest?

All this is because I’m wondering how WSDOT & SDOT & Sound Transit & the cities of Seattle & Bellevue will mitigate impacts to the wildlife living in the Arboretum when redevelopment of the 520 bridge happens….thoughts?

Update: I’ve seen other info re: the eagle pair hunting from the 520 bridge:

1. “Eagle Eyes on the 520 Bridge”- http://blogs.king5.com/archives/2009/03/eagleeyes-on-th.html

2. WSDOT SR 520 DEIS- http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/5969A3E2-01E1-4000-8F80-F18D006CEE7/0/SR520DEIS_AppendixWPart2.pdf

3. Northwest Cable News by Deborah Feldman- http://www.nwcn.com/archive/61211932.html

Have you noticed that on sunny days, there are at least 2 Bald Eagles that hunt in the Arboretum and perch on the sculptures along side the freeway?

When the eagles aren’t there, the Blue Herons do the same, or stand in the water along side the beaver lodge. Turtles bask in the sun on the logs to the west of the stand of trees (when you’re coming from east to west). Loons and grebes and numerous other birds nest and hunt in the area.

Seattle PI reporter Deborah Harrell reported about stakeholders’ concerns re: the 520 redesign, and I’m wondering- how will the new design mitigate for the existing wildlife, some of which are protected species?