Seattle dismissed our environmental challenge. We’re appealing — on behalf of Southern Resident Killer Whales.
Photo by Candice Emmons taken under NOAA Federal Permit No. 16163.
The City Approved a Harmful Plan.
Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) failed to fully evaluate the environmental consequences of increased development, especially the removal of mature trees. Trees reduce and filter polluted runoff that affects human health, salmon, and the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Instead of correcting these oversights, the city dismissed public concerns — including ours.
We Filed a Legal Appeal to Protect Healthy Habitats & Homes.
In early 2025, we filed a citywide appeal of the Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), asking Seattle to study how increased tree loss and stormwater runoff would affect our ecosystems. Our appeal was grounded in science, public health, and NOAA’s SRKW Recovery Plan. We had legal standing, expert witnesses, and community support — but the city shut the door on due process.
The City Tried to Block Our Challenge.
On April 11, 2025, the Hearing Examiner dismissed our appeal, despite clear standing and urgent environmental concerns. This sets a dangerous precedent: that the public can be denied a fair hearing on major environmental decisions. We're challenging that dismissal to restore the public’s right to defend health, wildlife, and climate resilience in city planning.
We’re Taking It to the Courts — and We Need Your Help.
The Orca Appeal is in the Washington State Court of Appeals: Case No. 882520. If granted, we’ll continue pushing the city to improve the Comp Plan EIS to reduce harm to endangered orcas, salmon, trees, and neighborhoods. Donations go toward legal costs. Any funds left over will support orca and tree protection nonprofits.
Legal Fund
Your donation supports legal fees, expert witnesses, and the fight to restore our right to challenge harmful city planning. Every contribution helps ensure this case gets the hearing it deserves. Any unused funds will be donated to trusted orca and tree protection nonprofits. For tax deductible donations, select “Orca Nexus” from the drop-down menu at Orca Conservancy.
For non-deductible donations, use the button below.
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Ask the City of Seattle to protect baby orcas, salmon, trees, and clean water as they densify. The public deserves a voice in environmental decisions.
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Show you care deeply about protecting orcas, salmon, trees, and clean water. Your signature sends a clear message: the public deserves a voice in environmental decisions that impact everyone.
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Why is Seattle Moving Forward with a Comprehensive Plan with an inadequate Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?
Seattle is quietly dismantling the State Environmental Act (SEPA) using this EIS to “rubber stamp” most development for the next 20 years. Removing environmental review for some of the most environmentally impactful construction:
double sized parking lots from 40 to 90 spaces - 36,000sf of hard surface;
<65,000sf buildings with only one (1) unit of housing instead of 50% housing;
double the amount of dirt removed from 50 to 100 dump trucks full.
Opening Brief
Filed 9/10/25
WA Court of Appeals
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