In the most recent edition of the Times/News there was a great deal of optimism about the bright future that Burien might have as well as the possible annexation. However, the city of Burien would be wise to be sure that it knows what it has before it adds more land mass to its borders.

Burien faces the addition of a large multi-family dwelling on the immediate border of Seahurst Park, the Emerald Pointe Condos/Westmark. This development will strip 9.8 acres of current forested land and create storm water runoff that will impact/damage the wetlands of Seahurst Park.

Citizens have approached the city to have this wetland measured so that if it is damaged they will have some recourse against the developer. At this point the city has refused to measure/delineate the wetlands. As stewards of our public lands they are not willing to measure, or to know, what they are required to protect. This hardy makes much sense.

The Neighbors Of Seahurst Park are circulating a petition throughout the community requesting that the city measure this wetland so that it can be protected. This group sponsored a booth at the city's birthday party and is holding an information meeting on Thursday, April 17, at St. Bernadette's School at 7 p.m.

I encourage every concerned citizen to sign this petition. You cannot protect something if you don't know what you really have. It is like having a bank account but not being sure of the bank's name or how much money really is in the account. If money ends up being missing or you get the wrong statement, you cannot prove that anything has really happened.

If you cannot sign the petition, at least send a letter or e-mail to the Burien City Council requesting that this wetland be measured/delineated before any permits are issued for the Westmark project.

Robert Edgar

Burien