On October 4, 2024, Pierce County Planning staff made an inspection of Wasmund Road near Spanaway and Audubon Creeks. They were investigating a complaint about digging and excavation without a permit. They found that installation of two culverts in the road and extensive gravel added to the road and on JBLM property. The Tacoma Rescue […]
When the planning for the Environmental Conference began it seemed risky to think people would give up a sunny Saturday morning to talk about zoning. Those who showed up learned how to change legislation, and they learned how much it costs to sue county government when the county planning department fumbles a permit decision like […]
Jani Hitchen has Strategy to Win in November Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen faces a tough campaign as the Republican candidate received 47% of the vote, Democrat Danny Hankins received 12%, and Jani Hitchen received 42%. In a conversation with Hitchen last week, she has analyzed the vote and has a strategic plan to win […]
By Kirk Kirkland The fate of Gig Harbor’s Burley Lagoon hangs in the balance while community members await the decision of the Pierce County Hearing Examiner. The community is requesting the Examiner to deny a permit for a 25-acre industrial geoduck operation. If approved, it would likely become the largest geoduck site in the region, […]
Ryan Mello is running for Pierce County Executive stepping up from being chair of the County Council. Other councilmembers are leaving empty seats that could cause a change in the environmental leadership on the council. Your vote in the August 6 primary election can make a big difference in the future of our county. _________________________________________________ […]
What is the needed balance between open space and suburban homes that is necessary to make Spanaway more livable. These and other questions about livability will be discussed at Environmental Conference held on September 28 _______________________________________________________________ You’re Invited to Environmental Coalition’s Conference! Save this date: Saturday, September 28th, the Environmental Coalition will host our Fall […]
Both Tacoma’s Planning Department and Pierce County Planning Department have circumvented the state Environmental Policy Act by making a Designation of Nonsignficance that does not evaluate significant impacts on large projects, like Tiny Home Village in Spanaway and the South Tacoma Warehouse District. Is there a way to change this policy? ___________________________________________________________________ The High Price […]
by Kirk Kirkland How would you like to make the suburban sprawl around you into a real livable community? The Environmental Coalition of Pierce County invites you to share your ideas at their Environmental Conference this September. With a Democratic majority on the Pierce County Council, we are living at an opportune time to make […]
Expansion of DuPont gravel mine calls for dewatering the aquifer and long-term destruction of Edmond Marsh — a favorite bird habitat. Protecting and restoring the wetlands was a part of the original lawsuit and agreement with mine owners until the city produced this recent Draft Environmental Impact Statement. _____________________________________________________________________ Edmond Marsh has been the focus […]
By Kirk Kirkland Raising the groundwater high enough to return the summer flow of Clover Creek was the focus of three meetings with members of the County Council in May and June. Few people are available who would drive from Olympia to Tacoma and sit through a 2-hour County Council meeting to only speak for […]
Recent Hearing examiner decision called for cutting forests of Oregon white oak and destroying habitat of Western Gray Squirrel, an endanger species. Spanaway Group Files for Reconsideration of Tiny Home Village The Spanaway Concerned Citizens group (SCC) decided to file for reconsideration in their quest to stop the permits for a village of 280 homes […]
Recently passed amendments to review water systems in the county have made it possible to re-think how the county can change the crisis of expanded growth and increased problems with drought, flooding, and water shortages into proposals that could turn these problems into opportunities to recharge aquifers, increase groundwater and get creeks flowing, while at […]
The long-awaited appeal of the Industrial Geoduck Farm in Burley Lagoon ended on May 29. Taylor Shellfish Company proposed a 28-acre aquaculture project — the largest in Pierce County. Taylor Shellfish faces an uphill battle for the county’s Conditional Use Permit that has been challenged by Friends of Burley Lagoon and a coalition of environmental […]
Ryan Mello Endorsed for Pierce County Executive In 2024 there is and opportunity for a sea change in Pierce County government. Not only can we retain the County Council majority, but we can elect a County Executive who understands the environment. In addition, several Pierce County Council seats are in play. To retain our present […]
About Ryan Mello Ryan was born in Kailua, Hawaii, and moved to Tacoma in 1997 to attend the University of Puget Sound. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and government. After college, Ryan went on to serve in several career roles that protect our quality of life, working farmlands and rural […]
