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Department of Ecology News Release - September 24, 2008
08-256
BELLEVUE – The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined the First Romanian Pentecostal Church of Kenmore $48,000 for illegally covering over wetlands and a stream on church property near Woodinville.
In an order accompanying the penalty, Ecology has directed the church to submit a restoration plan to Ecology within 60 days for removing fill and restoring damaged wetlands.
The property is located at 22332 State Route 9 SE.
The penalty and order follow attempts by Ecology to negotiate an agreement under which the church would have completed restoration planning and work.
“We’re disappointed that negotiations did not lead to an agreed resolution,” said Geoff Tallent, regional manager for Ecology’s shorelines program. “Land projects in or near wetlands and streams always require permits. Ecology and local building departments offer assistance with the permitting process, which helps protect and restore these important resources.”
“Obtaining these permits before starting work is always less costly for the applicant and the agencies rather than having to resolve a violation through an enforcement action” Tallent added. “We’re especially concerned because the number of complaints about unauthorized wetland fills has increased over the past two years.”
The church cleared and graded three quarters of an acre of wetland along Little Bear Creek, and diverted and filled a tributary to the creek in September 2006. Spawning salmon were present in Little Bear Creek at the time.
In December 2006 and January 2007 the church cleared and graded nearly an acre of high-quality forested wetland and continued diverting streams on the same property. This second violation occurred despite repeated warnings from Ecology, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Snohomish County to obtain permits before any additional work – and in spite of a county stop-work order.
The church made no application to federal, state or local agencies for permits to work in wetlands or streams.
Healthy wetlands and streams are essential to maintaining and restoring Puget Sound salmon runs. Wetlands improve water quality, supply habitat for fish and wildlife, and provide flood protection.
Chinook salmon, an endangered species, had spawned in Little Bear Creek just downstream from the church property as recently as the 1990s. Ecology, local governments, citizens’ groups and businesses have been cooperating on projects to restore the creek under a water quality improvement plan, approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2005.
The church may apply to Ecology for a penalty reduction or appeal the penalty to the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days.
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Media contacts:
Geoff Tallent, regional manager, Ecology Shorelines and Environmental Assessment Program, 425-649-7096
Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009; pager 206-663-1785
Paul Anderson, Ecology wetland specialist, 425-649-7148
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
