University of Washington Botanic Gardens

WSDOT’s SR 520, I-5 to Medina Project: Section 6(f) Environmental Evaluation comment period will be ending on Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The preferred alternative selected for the SR 520, I-5 to Medina: Bridge Replacement and HOV Project will convert properties protected by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act of 1965. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) have prepared a Section 6(f) Environmental Evaluation in accordance with the LWCF Act Section 6(f)(3).  This document evaluates the effects of converting recreational properties (e.g., parks) protected by Section 6(f) to non-recreational use and replacing them with property of at least equal fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness and location. The Section 6(f) protected properties proposed for conversion are portions of the Ship Canal Waterside and Arboretum Waterfront Trail complex, and portions of two associated parks, East Montlake Park and the Washington Park Arboretum. The Section 6(f) Environmental Evaluation will be available for a 30-day public comment period beginning in early November 2010.

Please check back in early November for a link to the document and comment form. For more information on the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program, please visit the project website at

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520Bridge/

The Arboretum and Botanical Garden Committee has issued guiding principles for the Washington State Department of Transportation project of replacing the State Route 520 floating bridge.

For complete information on the project and to make a comment go to the WADOT website for SR 520.