SDOT and the US Army Corps of Engineers are beginning an environmental review of the Elliott Bay seawall replacement project. There will be a public meeting tonight, Wednesday, June 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center, located at 2211 Alaskan Way. The meeting will break down to include an open house from 4 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a formal presentation and time for public hearing from 5:30 to 7 p.m. From SDOT:
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.
As part of the environmental review process, a requirement of both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), a scoping period is required to collect comments from the public on alternatives, mitigation measures, probably significant adverse impacts, and permits and all other approvals that may be required.
The public are invited to comment during scoping, which SDOT says “will help set the stage for design of the new seawall,” through Monday, July 19. Those interested in making a public testimony may contact an available court reporter during the open house portion of tonight’s meeting. Comments may be made at the public meeting, or by 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.