Urban Land Use and the Watershed TOPIC/ISSUE: Seattle is a rapidly developing area. As the population grows, development, pollution, noise, and impact to the land increase. Affects such as these can change the conditions in the lower Cedar River and Lake Washington. Fish populations can be impacted by changes in river and lake conditions. Because several of the fish that live in or use these areas are currently or nearly listed on the ESA, it is the legal obligation of the region to refrain from conducting any activity that might result in harm or death to listed species. BACKGROUND: Seattle Public Utilities almost wholly own the upper watershed. They have banned any use of the area, with the exception of guided, educational tours. The lower river and lake area are not uninhabited, rather, they in many locations they are densely populated urban areas. The Puget Sound Regional Council is responsible for writing and implementing the comprehensive plan of the area. This plan includes urban growth boundaries, zoning, environmental impact restrictions and many other useful tools to controlling the location and type of growth and development in the region. Unfortunately, as the buildable land diminishes in the region, there is pressure to build in spite of overlay conditions and environmental warnings. Privately held land is often developed solely at the wishes of the owner, although Environmental Impact Statements are required to obtain a building permit. STAKEHOLDERS: LAND USE VERSUS FISH What building to allow and how to control runoff, pollution and other forms of impact How to deal with a growing population of people without causing undue stress on species listed on the ESA Creation and implementation of guidelines for building around creeks, streams, river and lakefront areas. STAKEHOLDERS: Puget Sound Regional Council Citizen of the Puget Sound National Marine Fisheries