The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and US Army Corps of Engineers are beginning the environmental review to replace the Elliott Bay seawall. A public meeting will be held June 16 at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The meeting will include an open house from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a presentation and public hearing beginning at 5:30 p.m. A court reporter will be available for public testimony during the open house.

The seawall protects Seattle’s waterfront from wind driven storm waves and the erosive tidal forces of Elliott Bay for a distance of approximately 7,166 feet between South Washington Street and Broad Street. Major utilities, Alaskan Way and SR 99, the ferry terminal, and rail lines also are supported by the seawall. Since its construction between 1916 and 1934, the seawall has deteriorated significantly; it does not meet current earthquake standards.

The environmental review process will satisfy the requirements of both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), during which a scoping period is required to collect comments on alternatives, mitigation measures, probable significant adverse impacts, and permits or other approvals that may be required. Public comment during scoping, the first step in the environmental process, will help set the stage for design of the new seawall.

The scoping comment period began June 1 and continues through July 19. In addition to the public meeting, comments also may be submitted in writing to: Elliott Bay Seawall EIS Scoping Comments, c/o Tetra Tech, Inc., 1420 Fifth Avenue, Suite 550, Seattle, WA 98101 or via e-mail to seawall@seattle.gov.

Public comments are requested by Monday, July 19, 2010.