Submitted by Claudia Finseth.
It’s March 25, 2025. Those of us fighting against the destruction of the Spanaway Marsh have been at it for over two years now and spent $140,000 dollars. So let’s take stock.
In December of 2024 the Tacoma Rescue Mission brought in massive equipment, and on the high point in the midst of the Marsh, in less than a week, clear cut 900 trees, dug out their stumps and razed the vegetation from those acres.
December is when black bears hibernate. Because no agency had done an honest wildlife count on the Marsh, and because the black bears had all their needs met there, a lot of us who have lived her for decades didn’t know we had black bears there. But the noise and chaos of the stripping of the land woke them, confused and alarmed, and they wandered out into human neighborhoods and on to roads.
December is when bald eagles begin preparing their nests for raising eaglets later in the spring. We have at least one pair of bald eagles that have nested on Spanaway Marsh for a quarter of a century, raising over thirty offspring. We don’t know if the work on the Marsh has disrupted our eagles or not. Time will tell. But we do know this: testimony for the project applicants stated: “We expect then to relocate.”
Soon after the clear cutting, in January, heavy winter rains caused run-off of the unprotected soils, and simultaneously a massive fish die-off began Spanaway Lake, a short ways downstream. The die-off has come to encompass the whole lake. Over 500 fish have died at this point in time, the biggest fish die-off in Spanaway Lake for at least the last 75 years, and one of the biggest fish die-offs ever in Pierce County.
One suggestion is that fine colloidal iron in the soils, disrupted by the logging and scraping, ran into the lake, and bound with the water and consequently did two things: decreased the amount of free oxygen in the lake for fish to breathe, and filled the fishes’ gills with fine particles so those gills were blocked from doing their work.
As far as I know neither the Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife nor Ecology have yet tested for colloidal iron in the water. They have not examined the gills of dead fish to see if they are impacted.
Yet a staff member has declared prematurely that it’s not due to TRM’s disruption of the soils on the proposed building site.
The issue of the Spanaway March will go before Thurston County Superior Court on March 28.
The destruction of Spanaway Marsh is not just an isolated environmental tragedy—it’s a textbook example of what happens when short-sighted development ignores the delicate balance of ecosystems. Once these natural pressures—habitat for black bears, nesting grounds for bald eagles, and clean waterways for fish—are gone, they’re gone forever. You can’t uncut 900 trees. You can’t undo the disruption that wakes hibernating wildlife and sends them into chaos. And you certainly can’t bring back entire species that vanish because their habitat was erased for the sake of expedience.
This isn’t alarmism—it’s reality. Every ecosystem has a breaking point. The Spanaway Marsh was a fully functioning habitat that had sustained wildlife for generations. Now, in just a few months, it’s become a cautionary tale. The fish die-off in Spanaway Lake is one of the largest in Pierce County history, and yet agencies are already dismissing potential links to the destruction upstream, without thorough investigation. That’s not science—it’s negligence.
And let’s be clear: this isn’t just about losing wildlife. It’s about losing everything that makes this place what it is. When ecosystems collapse, humans suffer too—flooding increases, air and water quality decline, and entire communities lose something irreplaceable. If this much damage has already been done in just a few months, what happens when the next storm hits? What happens when the next species disappears?
The time for half-measures and bureaucratic excuses is over. Either we fight for what’s left, or we accept that we are watching the permanent loss of a natural treasure—and all the consequences that come with it.
Mr. Alderete, I appreciate your comment so much, because it builds on what I have written in important ways. And, if I read your avatar correctly, you are a veteran of Somalia, and I want to thank you for your service. My best, Claudia
Thank you, Mr. Alderete, for enlarging on my article in very important ways. And if I understand your avatar, thank you for your service.
Mr. Alderete raises crucial concerns, and the reality is undeniable—Spanaway Marsh is not just a local loss; it’s a dire warning. When “short-sighted” policies prioritize development at any cost, we all pay the price—through worsening floods, degraded water quality, and the irreversible loss of vital ecosystems.
At a time when families are struggling to afford the basic necessities, does it make sense for our elected officials to allocate $65 million to rebuilding the Chambers Bay estuary while ignoring the destruction of a vital fish nursery within Spanaway Marsh? Does it make sense to invest $63 million in a homeless village—one that places vulnerable individuals off the beaten path, directly in a floodway, exposing them to even greater risks?
More troubling still, does it make sense to sacrifice 87 acres of old-growth forest, a federally mapped surface water recharge area, and a critical wildlife habitat while risking the release of toxic chemicals downstream into the very waters our children swim in?
These are not abstract concerns. They are real, measurable consequences that affect the health, safety, and future of our community! The destruction of Spanaway Marsh is a failure of responsible governance. The time for half-measures and political deflection is over. We must demand accountability, enforce environmental protections, and ensure that decisions reflect the long-term well-being of both people and nature, not just the immediate interests of developers.
If we stand by and do nothing, we are not just losing trees and wildlife. We are losing clean water, flood protection, and the very character of our communities. This is our fight, and the time to act is now! Right Idea—Wrong Location!
Clear Your Calendars!
The momentous and long-awaited event is finally happening! Our experienced attorney will present a clear and compelling case, ensuring that the law is not misinterpreted in Thurston County Superior Court this Friday!
Now more than ever, we must stand together and show our collective strength!
Mark your calendars and join us—in person or via Zoom
📅 Friday, March 28, 2025
⏰ Hearing Time: 1:30 p.m.
⚖ Judicial Officer: The Honorable Judge, Carol Murphy
Your presence matters! Your investment in safeguarding our economic and environmental health is crucial.
Join us in person at:
Thurston County Superior Court
Building 2
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502
Or: Courtroom Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/75889790163?pwd=YUo3UFBaOVVWMCs5eDNYR3A5Z0dZdz09
Court Calendars Main Campus Website:
Meeting ID: 758-8979-0163# Passcode: 080328
From the Thurston County Superior Court website, click on “Court Calendars-Main Campus” and scroll to Judge Murphy’s Civil Motions. A direct Zoom link is provided.
Before we go, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support. Standing up for what is right is an expensive endeavor. Please donate!
SCAN our QR CODE: Visit spanawayconcernedcitizens.com
2. DIRECTLY to SPANAWAY CONCERNED CITIZENS:
MAIL DONATIONS TO:
Spanaway Concerned Citizens
P.O. Box 562 or scan our QR Code
Spanaway, WA 98387 *We are a 501-C4. Contributions are not tax-deductible.
ONLINE DONATIONS: https://spanawayconcernedcitizens.com/
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Or our partner organization: FRIENDS OF SPANAWAY LAKE (FOSL)
MAIL DONATIONS TO:
Friends of Spanaway Lake (FOSL) *Make Checks payable to FOSL (Please note, SCC in the (for) on your check)
P.O. Box 1042
Spanaway, WA 98387-1042 *FOSL is a 501-C3. All Contributions are tax-deductible.
Thank you, Spanaway Concerned Citizens and Friends of Spanaway Lake, for your tremendous work to save Spanaway Marsh. I am proud to call you my neighbors.
Thank you Claudia Finseth and everyone working for lawful and rational environmental practice throughout Pierce County/Western Washington. Pierce County’s continuing default to TRM’s blind determination of mission is a shameless example of willful hubris. It’s reminiscent of a train wreck over I-5 near Dupont a few years ago. What could possibly go wrong? Well, it has, with further potential for unheeding damage evident for anyone willing to see.
You are welcome, Bob Warfield. I found your metaphor spot on. The points you make are so important.
Wetlands and marshes are among the most extraordinary and delicate ecosystems on Earth. Formed over centuries, they provide a haven for countless species of plants and animals while offering immense environmental benefits. However, these critical landscapes are disappearing at an alarming rate due to human activity. Their destruction is not only an ecological crisis but also a profound loss of natural sanctuaries that offer peace and tranquility. If we do not take action, these landscapes will vanish forever, and with them, the countless benefits they provide to both nature and humanity.
The Ecological Importance of Wetlands
Wetlands and marshes are vital to maintaining the balance of our environment. They serve as natural water filters, trapping pollutants and purifying the water that flows through them. Acting as sponges, they absorb excess rainwater, reducing the risk of flooding in surrounding areas. They also function as carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and helping to mitigate climate change.
Beyond their environmental role, wetlands are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. They support a wide variety of life, from migratory birds and amphibians to rare plant species and aquatic creatures. Each organism within this system plays a role in maintaining the delicate balance of life. The loss of these habitats disrupts entire food chains, leading to declines in species populations and, in some cases, extinctions.
The Disappearance of Wetlands
Despite their importance, wetlands are being lost at an unprecedented rate. Urban expansion, agriculture, pollution, and climate change all contribute to their destruction. Cities and towns continue to encroach on these areas, draining and filling them for development. Industrial and agricultural runoff pollutes their waters, poisoning the very life they sustain. Rising sea levels and changing weather patterns further threaten their existence.
The slow but steady loss of wetlands is akin to death by a thousand paper cuts. It is not always dramatic, but it is relentless. Each drained marsh, each polluted waterway, each paved-over floodplain represents a small yet irreversible step toward losing these ecosystems forever. And once they are gone, they do not simply return. The centuries-long processes that created them cannot be replicated in a matter of years or even decades.
Wetlands as Sanctuaries for the Soul
Beyond their ecological significance, wetlands and marshes hold a profound emotional and spiritual value. They are places of peace, offering a respite from the chaos of modern life. The gentle rustling of reeds, the distant calls of waterfowl, and the reflective stillness of the water create an atmosphere of tranquility that is increasingly rare in today’s fast-paced world. These landscapes provide not only refuge for wildlife but also for people seeking a connection to nature.
In a time when the natural world is under constant threat, the preservation of wetlands is more than an environmental issue—it is a moral imperative. We must recognize their value, not just as ecosystems to be protected but as sanctuaries for all life.
Conclusion
The destruction of wetlands and marshes is a tragedy that extends far beyond the loss of individual species or landscapes. It represents the erosion of something deeply essential to the planet’s well-being and to our own. If we continue to allow these places to disappear, we will not only lose vital ecological resources but also the peace and beauty they provide. It is our responsibility to protect and revere these sanctuaries, ensuring that they endure for future generations. The time to act is now, before the final paper cut severs our connection to these irreplaceable havens of life.
Thank you, Mr. Alderete, for all you have said about wetlands. We have lost so much of our wetlands here in south Pierce County. The wetlands that once lay along 112th Street South and Steele Street have almost all been paved over and developed, many of them into big concrete warehouses and parking lots for container trucks. The accompanying native Garry Oak groves have been decimated there, as they have in much of Lakewood, and our skyscape, instead of being lovely twisted branches, is bare or full of concrete, too. There is silence where we once heard the sound of singing frogs. I wrote this poem about it:
CROSSING TO SAFETY 1
Behind the Forza coffee shop,
Where oak grove and wetland breathed peaty breath until last week,
Concrete slabs poured for a warehouse
Press the life out of the earth.
When the bulldozers pushed aside
The reeds and red-twigged dogwood
Little frogs, the barista said,
Mottled green with blushing legs,
Filmy gold-flecked eyes and sticky-padded feet,
Arrived and clung to the life raft of the shop’s back porch.
The look on her face: she feels silly.
I want to say what you feel is lovely.
I tell her if any more show up I have a pond.
They can live in my pond.
I write “frog rescue” and pass her my card.
Because she and I both know: their raft went no where,
So they hopped on the only direction left:
Across the five-lane road.
How far is it to the next wetland?
Claudia Riiff Finseth
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Farrells Marsh Steilacoom