EAGLE TREE MASSACRE
The unlawful eagle tree massacre in September 2025 at 1117 Leighton Street (DRAYTON REACH, DIV 2, LOT 15) happened within the Blaine Shoreline Master Program buffer along Drayton Harbor, thus violating the Shoreline Management Act and Critical Areas Ordinance. A restoration plan, performance bond, and civil penalties are in order, as is referral to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Eagle Act), and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (non-permitted tree removal).
Three mature Douglas Fir trees that eagles use for perches when hunting salmon were deliberately girdled to cause their death. Wire mesh was placed over the cuts to disguise the damage. The owners of the property, Gurdeep S. (a developer) and Sarbjit K. Bains--a Blaine City Councilwoman--list their address as 381 6th St, Blaine.
Blaine Community Development Services was notified mid-September, taking no action, while additional girdling occurred through September 28. Removing trees for views is very profitable for developers. Tens of thousands in value increase after waterfront, view-blocking trees are removed is common.
On September 29, 2025, this and 21 other Shoreline Management Program violations within the required shoreline setback buffer--unenforced by Blaine code enforcement, despite the Water Planning Matters report documenting the violations--were reported by Water Planning Matters to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Ecology, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
To learn more, see waterplanningmatters.org
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