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Contents this page were published in the November/December, 1997 edition of the Washington Free Press.
WFP, 1463 E. Republican #178, Seattle, WA -USA, 98112. -- WAfreepress@gmail.com
Copyright © 1997 WFP Collective, Inc.
"Please let us know how you feel about clean water and the Cedar River Watershed by completing the survey below," came with the letter soliciting donations to help build an educational center and restore the native landscape in the watershed. Documented in part by quotes of elementary school students, praise of old-growth forests and salmon runs, and photos of natural splendor, the plea sent by Friends of the Cedar River Watershed (Friends) doesn't mention the most critical issue the watershed faces: logging. To be sure, no "survey" question asks donors if they think logging the watershed should be banned. Instead, we get to agree or disagree ("strongly," on a scale of one to five) with such notions as ". . . the Watershed provides an invaluable haven for wildlife and ecosystems."
"We have a diverse membership on our board," says Bridgett Chandler, a Friends board member who also works for the City of Seattle Office of Intergovernmental Relations. "The group decided we didn't want to take a stand one way or another [on logging]. We definitely are supportive of the restoration efforts that are proposed."
Not only do proposed restoration efforts include plans to continue logging the watershed, ex-officio board members of Friends include Margaret Pageler of the City Council, Director of Public Utilities Diana Gale, and Director of Watershed Management Suzy Flagor, all of whom support the Habitat Conservation Plan, which uses money from "sustainable" logging techniques to pay for conservation.
Friends is a private, nonprofit organization "dedicated to the protection and enhancement" of the watershed. With 501(c) 3 status, they have secured a City matching grant of $3 million if they can raise $2 million to complete the building project- remarkable, for a tax exempt environmental organization in its first year. A policy statement against logging could be construed as lobbying, which would jeopardize their tax exemption, as well as the favor Friends now enjoys at City Hall.
To let them know or give them dough: 300 Lenora St., Box 256, Seattle 98121
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