Submitted by Claudia Riiff Finseth.
Every fall I get a big postcard from Pierce County reminding me I live in an area known to flood, the Spanaway-Parkland flood plain.
And I know it’s true because twice in twenty-five years we have had hundred year floods here where I live along Spanaway Creek near 138th Street South and Spanaway Loop Road.
So, again, I don’t get why County Executive Bruce Dammeier wants to us the Spanaway Marsh for high density building.
The 50,000 cubic yards of fill he plans to dump on the marsh in order to create his tiny home village there will only increase the seasonal flooding for much of us who live in the area, by pushing the water out further.
There are just so many ways that building on the Spanaway Marsh is a terrible idea. And yet the Executive absolutely refuses to listen to the community.
Follow the money.
I’ve been following this story for several months, although I no longer live in Tacoma.
I applaud Claudia Finseth for her heroic efforts to save the Spanaway Marsh area.
What a frustrating experience for you and your community! Every piece of information you’ve written supports the need for protection of this area!
I experienced the “same wall of politics” back in the 1980’s when an asphalt batching plant
was trying to take over a stone and gravel pit on the west side of Tacoma in an area that is now University Place.
My next door neighbor and I were able to whip up enough support to get the hearings examiner
to reconsider his decision. We also had the support of many people in the community including County Council member, Joe Stortini. Somehow we we able to garner enough support to win.
The result has been wonderful, that area became Chambers Bay Property, golf course, walking trails, shore access, dog park, and restaurant!
Good Luck Claudia,
Mary Rance
I agree completely with Claudia Finseth. We don’t live in the immediate area, but we do travel Spanaway Loop almost weekly. The area is in a constant state of flooding in the winter as it is without the water levels being muddled with by building on the marsh. The consequences could be devastating for the people who make the area their home.