by Kirk Kirkland On June 11, 2026, the DuPont Hearing Examiner approved the South Parcel gravel mine expansion. The final decision confirms that the project will create significant environmental disruptions. The approved permit fails to provide adequate mitigation for catastrophic stream loss, wetland destruction, wildlife habitat degradation, and heightened forest fire risks due to aquifer […]
by Kirk Kirkland The secret is out! An obscure Department of Natural Resource program called Trust Land Transfer now can be used to protect DNR forests from being logged — which local communities want to use for recreation, and preserving wildlife habitat. The Trust Land Transfer (TLT) method uses state capital budget funds to buy […]
In October of 2025 the Forterra land trust facilitated the $3.49 million purchase of 113 acres in the Frederickson area. The property purchase from Tacoma Water (City of Tacoma) was made possible with a $2.7 million grant from Pierce County Conservation Futures. The acquisition protects critical forest and watershed lands in a fast-developing area while […]
Until earlier this month with the December storms, living in the Northwest in the last 5 years, the Puget Sound area has not experienced many of the extreme weather conditions that cause flooding or extreme heat’s impact on Agriculture production. Many areas of the world are spending their government’s funds cleaning up from hurricanes, flooding […]
by Kirk Kirkland In Minneapolis, the chief of police took a strong position regarding the federal administration’s handling of apprehensions of immigrants. He stated, “If ICE agents use unlawful force in this city, my officers must intervene.” To translate that into plain, street-fighting English: “The city of Minneapolis does NOT belong to federal bullies.” In […]
Our Republic is being badly challenged. During these dark days for our Republic, with the government shutdown now at 30 days and Congress struggling to find consensus, it becomes difficult to see what an individual can do to bring needed change and address the polarization that is gripping the country. There are few choices, but […]
by Kirk Kirkland and Claudia Finseth Two neighborhood groups in unincorporated Pierce County have recently paid very high prices to attempt to protect their communities because the county is not doing it. Both were to try to stop two different kinds of large projects from dramatically changing their valued open space. Both proposed projects were […]
Really think your vote won’t make a difference? Well, go find your mail-in-ballot because this year you can make a big difference! The race for President, Pierce County Executive and County Council is going to be close. Plus your vote is necessary to win in the Electoral College vote on Jan 6th. This is a […]
Pierce County Executive: Ryan Mello ryanmello.com Pierce County Council – District 6: Jani Hitchen electjanihitchen.org Pierce County Council – District 4: Rosie Ayala peopleforrosieayala.com Pierce County Council – District 2: Davida Haygood vote4davida.com Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer: Marty Campbell electmartycampbell.com WA Legislative District 25 – Pos. 1: Cameron Severns electcamseverns.com WA Legislative District 25 – Pos. […]
With fewer than 30 days left before ballots are mailed out, it’s time to step up efforts to defeat Initiative 2117. The NO on I-2117 campaign is mobilizing across Washington state to encourage citizens to vote NO to protect our air, water, forests, farmlands, jobs, and transportation investments. If passed, I-2117 would repeal our state’s […]
You’re invited to The Fall Environmental Conference! 9 am to noon on September 28, 2024 at Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway RSVP to Kirkkirkland9@gmail.com Presented by the Environmental Coalition of Pierce County Questions? Contact Kirk Kirkland At kirkkirkland9@gmail.com
The Fall Environmental Conference AN OPPORTUNITY CONFERENCE This is a chance to counter the disenfranchisement the people of Spanaway and Parkland have experienced with our own county government—when we spoke and were not heard, when were not afforded time to speak, and plans for our community were made without our involvement— The Fall […]
Changes possible with a Democratic County Council Every decade there is an opportunity on the Pierce County Council to create a significant change. The November election will elect three leaders who will use the Growth Management Act in a way that will allow the county to reach its potential. Who wins this election will determine […]
Originally from Spokane, Cameron Severns lives in the Summit-Waller area, works in insurance, leads an addiction-recovery ministry at his church, and volunteers with Family Promise of Pierce County, a nonprofit that helps families experiencing homelessness. Incredibly, Cameron Severns was able to secure a top-2 finish in the 2022 primary election as a write-in candidate to […]
Cameron Severns for State House Position 1 25th Legislative District Originally from Spokane, Cameron Severns lives in the Summit-Waller area, works in insurance, leads an addiction-recovery ministry at his church, and volunteers with Family Promise of Pierce County, a nonprofit that helps families experiencing homelessness. Incredibly, Cameron Severns was able to secure a top-2 finish […]
chamber dam and Schmauder.jpg Water in county aquifers is declining with more homes being built in Spanaway. As a result, Clover Creek no longer flows in winter. We think it is possible to recharge our aquifers with increased winter rains. Some 100,000 new people are moving to the county in the coming decade. No agency […]
