Earlier today Seattle City Light employees cut down a healthy Korean Ashe at the proposed homeless encampment site in Ballard (located at 2826 NW Market Street).

The move was made exactly 10 days after the City notified the public about planned action to cut down the tree.

The notification was posted on July 6 after SCL determined the site was contaminated with heavy metals and pesticides and needed environmental remediation action. The post was stuck to the tree located on the site.

Citizens had 10 days to comment on the action, but some Ballard residents complain that it took place without proper time for public comment.

“This has taken place even before the community has had a chance to have a meaningful public process around the proposal. This is really frustrating,” wrote Ballard resident, Marty McOmber.

Environmental Remediation notification posted on July 6.

“Talk about insult to injury. This is the very opposite of transparent, responsive and representative government. … Our elected officials can't be bothered to get the public's input on this (encampment location) -- but they can fast-track cutting down a very valuable tree? Is the city just trying to rub this in Ballard’s face? Where is Councilman O'Brien on this?”

Pieces of the Korean Ashe. Photo by Marty McOmber.

Meanwhile the petition, ”Don’t Tell Ballard To Shut Up,” which is against the encampment location and asks for public hearings, just surpassed 800 signatures -- much of them Ballard residents.

The Ballard site is one of three locations where the City has proposed to establish homeless encampments.

One Ballard News-Tribune reader asks why the City chose the site without first testing it for contamination.

“Again, another glaring example of City of Seattle Officials and their select committees making significant development recommendations without any input from existing residents and business owners.”

“How could the city pick three final sites without testing any of the sites for toxic substances? It is standard practice to complete an environmental assessment of any site that was used for a utility substation. ‘A reasonable investigation of a proposed investment deal and of the principals offering it before the transaction is finalized’ is standard practice when purchasing commercial property. Why isn't the City of Seattle following the same practices before choosing sites for homeless encampments?”

According to Scott Thomsen, Senior Strategic Advisor in Communications with Seattle City Light, testing the site is part of the City’s process in identifying encampment sites.

“As a part of this process, we tested the property to check for possible environmental contamination from our previous uses. Testing identified pesticides and heavy metals, which we have a responsibility to clean up,” said Thomsen last week.

SCL found the pesticide, dieldrin, on the site. They also found some heavy metals, including cadmium and lead. Asbestos was also found in the concrete pad on the site

Thomsen reported that the lead and cadmium are above the model toxic control act standards for cleanup, and the dieldrin level is significantly higher than the state standard for cleanup.

Along with cutting down the tree, 18 inches of soil will be removed from the property in order to remove the contaminants. The soil remediation is planned to begin July 27. SCL will plant two new trees on the site in accordance with the tree replacement program.