Worried about the possible effects of Burien's proposed version of the shoreline management act, property owners along the city's waterfront have formed an organization, raised money and hired lawyers.

"We have no interest in a lawsuit," Burien Marine Homeowners Association president Michael Noakes said. "That is the last resort."

Noakes insists the group is focused on working with Burien planners and lawmakers to come up with an updated shoreline plan that will be accepted by the state Department of Ecology while balancing the need to safeguard the environment, provide public access to publicly-owned land and protect private property rights. Noakes said Redmond's plan does not require shoreline buffers, but was accepted by the state DOE.

The group has provided the city its suggested revisions to Burien's draft plan, published in November.

Noakes said the organization is currently concentrating on a membership drive among owners of the 500 tax parcels along the north Burien shoreline, Three Tree Point and Lake Burien.

Noakes said waterfront owners are concerned how Burien's future plan will affect setbacks, structure repair and replacement, bulkheads and public access.

He noted that proposed setbacks would mean homeowners with shallow lots could not rebuild on their land. Current structures not conforming to new standards would be difficult to insure, mortgage and sell, according to Noakes.

"What scientific evidence is there that changing setbacks will have even the remotest impact on the environment of Puget Sound?" Noakes declared.

Bulkheads are very important to homeowners along shorelines with strong wave action. The owners need to be able to repair and replace them quickly, Noakes added.

With one mile of Burien's five miles of Sound shoreline publicly owned, the city already has abundant public access, according to Noakes.

"This is what has people so anxious," Noakes concluded. "We are very likely to have expensive restrictions with a real chance that something bad could happen."