Lynnwood and Edmonds both need good wastewater treatment. This is not the question.
The question is whether the public is seeing the choices before the money is already spent.
The Lynnwood wastewater treatment plant expansion is now estimated at about $330 million. The plant is owned by Lynnwood, but it sits at Brown’s Bay, surrounded by Edmonds neighborhoods. Edmonds ratepayers may also share costs through an interlocal agreement.
Lynnwood ratepayers deserve clear answers too. They are already facing large sewer-rate increases. Lynnwood’s own financial plan shows the single-family fixed sewer charge rising from $103.19 every two months in 2022 to $340.12 by 2030 — more than tripling.
So far, Lynnwood has also spent or committed a lot of money toward the Brown’s Bay site.
The City Council approved a $6.2 million design contract with Hazen and Sawyer for the plant upgrade. It also approved a $400,000 owner-adviser contract with KBA Inc. Public reporting in the appeal record says project-level SEPA review will not begin until design is 30 to 60 percent complete.
This order worries me.
Usually, we should study the alternatives first. Then we choose the best plan. Then we spend the big money. SEPA rules say that, until a final DNS or final EIS is issued, an agency should not take action that would have an adverse environmental impact or “limit the choice of reasonable alternatives” (WAC 197-11-070(1)(a)–(b)).
Here it looks like the city is spending big money first to make one plan work.
Lynnwood has also purchased two nearby Edmonds homes for the project area: 17014 Bertola Road for $1.5 million and 17018 76th Ave. W. for $1.2 million. Together, that is about $9.3 million already committed before the public has seen a full Environmental Impact Statement comparing reasonable alternatives.
Please show the alternatives. Please show the math. Then ask Lynnwood and Edmonds ratepayers to support the plan.
Mats Kronstrom
COMMENTARY DISCLAIMER: The views and comments expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lynnwood Times nor any of its affiliates.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
