Defilement of Semiahmoo

11/30/24 letter to City of Blaine:

What once was an inspiring forested Semiahmoo peninsula has become an eyesore of proliferating condominiums and clearcuts. The impact on migratory birds, endangered salmon, and marine mammals has been devastating. The defilement of the sensitive ecological wonder we know as Semiahmoo spit is heartbreaking to lovers of wildlife who previously found solace in walks along the shoreline there or kayaking in the adjacent Drayton Harbor.

The City of Blaine's reckless onslaught on the peninsula and spit is detrimental to the spiritual well-being of Blaine residents, Semiahmoo First Nation, and Lummi Nation, whose ancestors are buried there. The luxury condominiums being built on the spit in violation of the Clean Water Act, the State Environmental Policy Act, the Shoreline Management Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act are destroying vital habitat for such migratory birds as plovers.

I have seen thousands of plovers on the spit during fall migration. Cars, people and dogs drive them away. Once, I witnessed a family with young children harassing a bald eagle on the spit with a drone in order to make it fly for a photo-op. This attitude toward nature is reflected in the policies and actions of the City of Blaine.

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