Rowley Properties responds to stormwater concerns

As property owners and members of the local business community for over 56 years, Rowley Properties recognizes Lake Sammamish’s role as an important environmental asset and community feature and we embrace its protection. In the past, Rowley Properties has worked with Save Lake Sammamish in planning and design related to restoring and improving other area waterways, namely Tibbetts Creek. This has been part of our stewardship to the local community. Today, as a result of our work, the Tibbetts Creek Greenway has an additional 2.5 acres of wetlands and has seen a marked improvement in habitat function. In response to a recent letter to the editor from Save Lake Sammamish ("Water problems..." The Reporter, July 23): • It is true we are considering the potential of a pump station to convey our stormwater runoff to Lake Sammamish; • It is true we are working with the City of Issaquah to find an appropriate solution for that issue. The city is responsible for enforcing stormwater standards dictated by the Department of Ecology; and, • It is true that we have attempted to contact Save Lake Sammamish to discuss these plans and will continue to work with the community to ensure our stormwater runoff is handled prudently and does not lead to flooding impacts or a degradation of fish habitat. To this end, we will be discussing this issue in August or September with the city’s River and Streams Board. All of the stormwater from our properties reaches Lake Sammamish today. The plans we are contemplating include improving the quality of the water that reaches the lake and potentially reducing flooding impacts in the city. We look forward to discussing our plans and would invite anyone interested in learning more to contact our project manager Kristi Tripple at 425-395-9583. Kari Magill CEO Rowley Properties, Inc.

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