News briefs

The city is in the planning stages of a new sustainability program that aims to keep Mercer Island green by planting indigenous trees in local neighborhoods. While the idea is still in its infancy, the general plan is that the city will obtain native trees in bulk and make them available to interested residents at a subsidized cost this fall, which is the ideal time for planting trees. The trees will most likely be distributed at the Farmers Market. The initial goal is to plant 200 trees this year. The project will also help the city quantify the benefits of planting trees with air quality and stormwater retention, thanks to a nearly completed analysis of the Island’s existing tree canopy.

July 21, 2009 3:46 pm

City to plant 200 trees

The city is in the planning stages of a new sustainability program that aims to keep Mercer Island green by planting indigenous trees in local neighborhoods. While the idea is still in its infancy, the general plan is that the city will obtain native trees in bulk and make them available to interested residents at a subsidized cost this fall, which is the ideal time for planting trees. The trees will most likely be distributed at the Farmers Market. The initial goal is to plant 200 trees this year. The project will also help the city quantify the benefits of planting trees with air quality and stormwater retention, thanks to a nearly completed analysis of the Island’s existing tree canopy.

The city will update the public on this developing project via its Web site: www.mercergov.org. Information will also be available at the Mercer Island Farmers Market and other Island locations.

Shoreline Master Program

The city of Mercer Island is in the process of updating its Shoreline Master Program (SMP), which contains the policies and regulations for properties within 200 feet of Lake Washington. The project’s total area is approximately 357 acres, encompassing 14.7 miles of Lake Washington waterfront and 945 homes. The project was conceived in December of 2003, under direction of the State Legislature, the Washington State Department of Ecology adopted new regulations, which requires cities and counties to update their existing SMPs. The update is required to focus on items such as docks, bulkheads, the protection and restoration of the shoreline’s natural resources, and public access. The city is seeking the input of all citizens for this process.

A number of public participation opportunities will be provided via the city’s Web site at; www.mercergov.org/SMP. For up-to-date information on public meetings and hearings, draft documents, links to state and federal agencies, and a variety of shoreline resources, please visit the city’s Web site or contact project planner Travis Saunders at 275-7717.

Fishing class is Aug. 15

The date for the Mercer Island Parks & Rec. “Let’s Go Fishing” class was changed due to Seafair. The class will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Luther Burbank Park docks.