Our cause has been covered on the front page of The Seattle Times, KUOW, and Q13.
Sailing with Seaplanes
What’s the problem?
With Seattle’s rapid growth, Lake Union is an increasingly important commercial area and an environmental and recreational outlet for thousands of people living and working in the Queen Anne, Fremont, Wallingford, University, Eastlake , Capitol Hill and South Lake Union neighborhoods. And along with Seattle growth, seaplane operators have increased services to meet demand. But these other adjacent companies and residential users are dependent on the proximity and accessibility of Lake Union. By contrast, seaplanes are not limited to Lake Union as they have alternative places to land on Lake Washington or Boeing Field minutes away.
Currently, there are no apparent controls on the number of flights per day. This is not just about Kenmore Air. It is about the unsustainable and unregulated expansion of flights on Lake Union.
Other cities such as Vancouver, BC have mitigated these risks by providing a dedicated Seaplane Flight Center on a large body of water that - unlike Lake Union - is large enough to accomodate seaplanes even when that body of water is busy. In 2020 in its application to DNR, the City of Seattle made a commitment to develop by 2025 an alternative location for seaplanes, perhaps along the downtown waterfront in Elliott Bay. The City and Port have the political mandate and ability to turn this Lake Union life-safety challenge into a highly desirable and profitable Northwest Seaplane Flight Center to serve future generations . . . something not possible on Lake Union.
Who’s affected?
Do you live or work in South Lake Union, Fremont, Wallingford, Ballard, Eastlake, or Westlake? Are you a maritime enterprise such as a commercial marine boatyard? Do you paddleboard, kayak, sail, swim, boat, or row on Lake Union? If so, you’re affected!
Our Goals
NEAR TERM GOALS - A LAKE UNION FOR ALL
Remove misleading buoy markings and demands that contradict the approved seaplane advisory buoys permit.
Work with all stakeholders to ensure safe and equitable access to Lake Union for all users.
LONG TERM GOALS - A LAKE UNION FOR ALL
Work with all stakeholders and users of Lake Union to formulate operating and use guidelines.
Get DNR, the City, and Port of Seattle to work together with seaplane operators, the Seaplanes Environmental Coalition and Floating Homes Association to identify and sanction another centrally located open-body of water for seaplanes to use when Lake Union is too crowded for seaplanes to operate safely.
Establish a cap on the number of flights per day, like the Otter Air, Inc. Decision.
Seattle Seaplanes N8397Q with Sailboat
Supporters
Seaplanes Environmental Coalition
Floating Home Association
Roanoke Reef Floating Home HOA
Surf Shack and Paddle
Lake Union Liveaboard Association (LULA)
Lake Union Hot Tub Boats
Electric Boats
Sea Shepherd Seattle
Candere Cruising
Frequently Asked Questions
Seaplanes environmental coalition is a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit corporation.
The Seaplanes Environmental Coalition (SEC) is a registered 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit Washington State corporation that represents a diverse group of users of the Lake Union basin comprised of thousands of Seattleites who enjoy it for its commercial, residential, environmental, natural, wildlife, and recreational resources. SEC formed in the 1980’s to raise awareness of the environmental impact of seaplanes and to give voice to all of those negatively affected by the unchecked sprawl of seaplane traffic on Lake Union. In 1989, SEC was part of a group that successfully negotiated an agreement with seaplane operators to stop flights before 8am and after sunset.
However, this summer seaplane operators and the City of Seattle violated the City-DNR Agreement by way of unpermitted buoy markings that try to move lake users out of an imaginary “seaplane zone”. The City and seaplane operators also authorized flyers throughout the neighborhoods and at waterfront parks promoting the concept of an exclusive seaplane zone. And they had the buoys policed by Harbor Patrol. These actions violate the terms and conditions of the City’s permits and approvals.
Are you asking the City of Seattle to ban all seaplanes from Lake Union?
No. But we don’t support one user’s effort to install a restricted-use, off limit runway compromising everyone else’s ability to use the lake.
WILL A DEDICATED RUNWAY MAKE LAKE UNION SAFER?
No. Seaplanes land in a direction that is weather dependent, and they can and do land anywhere on the lake. Creating a false impression that there is a runway which is the only place seaplanes will land is dangerous.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE FLASHING WARNING BUOYS?
Historically, city, state, and federal agencies allowed the City of Seattle to install a single row of buoys running down the middle of the lake that flash to “advise” lake users when seaplanes are operating in the general area. Under US Coast Guard Rules, all other users of the lake have priority right-of-way over seaplanes, and it is seaplanes that must ”keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation.”
However, this summer seaplane operators and the City of Seattle violated the City’s Agreement with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by trying to move lake users out of an imaginary and exclusive “seaplane zone” through unpermitted buoy markings, flyers throughout neighborhoods, and policing by Harbor Patrol, all of which violate the terms and conditions of the City’s permits and approvals.
WHAT IS YOUR END GOAL?
With Seattle’s rapid growth, Lake Union is an increasingly important commercial area and an environmental and recreational outlet for thousands of people living and working in the Queen Anne, Fremont, Wallingford, University, Eastlake , Capitol Hill and South Lake Union neighborhoods. And along with Seattle growth, seaplane operators have increased services to meet demand. But these other adjacent companies and residential users are dependent on the proximity and accessibility of Lake Union. By contrast, seaplanes are not limited to Lake Union as they have alternative places to land on Lake Washington or Boeing Field minutes away.
Currently, there are no apparent controls on the number of flights per day. This is not just about Kenmore Air. It is about the unsustainable and unregulated expansion of flights on Lake Union.
Other cities such as Vancouver, BC have mitigated these risks by providing a dedicated Seaplane Flight Center on a large body of water that - unlike Lake Union - is large enough to accomodate seaplanes even when that body of water is busy. In 2020 in its application to DNR, the City of Seattle made a commitment to develop by 2025 an alternative location for seaplanes, perhaps along the downtown waterfront in Elliott Bay. The City and Port have the political mandate and ability to turn this Lake Union life-safety challenge into a highly desirable and profitable Northwest Seaplane Flight Center to serve future generations . . . something not possible on Lake Union.
Our public letter to the City of Seattle:
In the past, my clients have gone on record supporting seaplane operations on Lake Union if the seaplane operators did not try to displace other lake users by claiming or implying there is an exclusive, seaplane runway or zone. Unfortunately, the seaplane operators and the City of Seattle continue to unlawfully enforce a non-existent and unpermitted 400-foot “seaplane zone.” As such, on behalf of Seaplanes Environmental Coalition, Share Lake Union, The Log Foundation, and Floating Homes Association I write this letter to inform you, the government official responsible for the seaplane buoy permits, that the City of Seattle is in violation of its state and federal seaplane buoy approvals, specifically: Department of Ecology’s Conditional Concurrence and Objection, the Department of Natural Resources Right of Entry Agreement, and the Department of the Army Permit. These violations include unauthorized buoy markings, failing to conduct required public outreach, and failing to provide contractors with copies of the permits and approvals to avoid these types of violations - violations that may subject the violator to civil penalties, damages, and criminal prosecution. RCW Chapters 43.12 and 90.58; 33 U.S.C. Section 403a. The new buoys markings should be removed and the violation corrected.
As you are aware, the City’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Right of Entry Agreement for the seaplane buoys requires compliance with all the applicable permits and approvals. Aquatic Lands Right of Entry No. 23-B92236 (Exhibit A). This includes, among other things, the DOE Conditional Concurrence and Objection and the Army Permit. It does not authorize a 200-foot “seaplane zone” to the east or a 200-foot “seaplane zone” to west of the buoys. Rather, it specifically states that the buoys are “aids to navigation” and “advisory only.” When the lights flash, the buoys alert all lake users that seaplanes are operating in the general area throughout the whole lake, wherever it is safe to land. The buoys do not demark an exclusive zone for seaplanes anywhere, and DNR staff are quite emphatic that there is no seaplane zone. More importantly, seaplane operators will be the first to admit they do not want to restrict themselves to a zone along buoys because landings and take-offs are often weather dependent.
The Army-Permit-approved buoy language states “Seaplane Takeoffs and Landings When Flashing” and it only authorizes the use of a very small area, limited to enough area to install the buoys. Department of the Army Permit #NWS-2014-1186-WR. See the images below:
Department of the Army Permit #NWS-2014-1186-WR.
Department of the Army Permit #NWS-2014-1186-WR.
In addition, the Department of Ecology (DOE) ordered the buoy markings to include language that they are “advisory” only.
The DOE Conditional Concurrence and Objection to the seaplane buoys states:
“The proposed signage/language to be placed on the buoys could be interpreted as establishing formal restrictions limiting use of waters within the buoys to floatplanes.
Therefore, Ecology has determined that the language listed on the buoys should be amended to clearly communicate the advisory intent of the proposal in order to ensure consistency with the SMA's policy to protect the public's right of navigation within shorelines of the state.
Based on the above, in order for the state to concur that the activities covered under this Consistency Determination are consistent with the enforceable policies of the state CZMP, and specifically the SMA and SMP Guidelines, City DPD shall meet the following condition:
· Buoy markings shall be clearly labeled as advisory, and in a manner that does not preclude or restrict public use of this area, including recreational, commercial, or tribal use of waters of the state.”
Coastal Zone Consistency for Corps Reference #NWS-2014-1186-WRD (February 11, 2016) (Exhibit C). Here, the buoys have been unlawfully altered as shown in the photos below:
The unlawful buoy marking violation is made even more problematic by the unlawful campaign #MindTheZone brought to your attention earlier this summer which continuously seeks to enforce a non-existent and illegal 400-foot “seaplane zone” during summer months. This campaign was developed in violation of DNR’s Right of Entry Agreement which makes no reference to a seaplane zone and specifically requires significant public outreach and input prior to finalizing any campaign. Aquatic Lands Right of Entry No. 23-B92236, Exhibit B, Section 2.c. Here are photos of the campaign materials distributed around Lake Union:
This campaign to enforce a 400-foot “Seaplane Landing Zone” during summer months is a violation of the City’s permits, and it is a serious misuse of public funds. As stated by DOE, the City is prohibited in all manner from “preclud[ing] or restrict[ing] public use of this area, including recreational, commercial, or tribal use of waters of the state.” Please repaint the buoys to comply with the City’s permits as portrayed on page 2 of this correspondence.
Seaplane operators have ample alternatives to land at nearby land-based airports or other water strips when Lake Union is busy, and there is no need for the City to expend precious public resources to unlawfully benefit private seaplane operators. Thank you for your attention to this very important matter.
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We are a non-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
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