The city should conduct a thorough environmental review before letting thousands of people watch fireworks from the partially remediated toxic-waste site that is Gas Works Park, an environmental activist says.
A Lake City man has sued to stop Fourth of July events at the park at the north end of Lake Union until the state shows that gathering to watch fireworks there is safe for viewers, the park and surrounding wildlife.
Benjamin Schroeter, who is not an attorney, filed the lawsuit in King County Superior Court, arguing that the city failed to conduct a review in accordance with the State Environmental Policy Act before permitting the annual event.
But city officials maintain that the fireworks display, a once-a-year civic event, is exactly what the state had in mind when it exempted certain activities from environmental review requirements.
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Gas Works was once the site of a coal-to-gas plant, which left behind a toxic stew that has caused the park to close several times over the years. In 1984, hazard-testing crews with the Environmental Protection Agency showed up wearing disposable rubber gloves, boots and face respirators. The city later closed the park for five months.
In 1997, the city dug up and hauled away thousands of pounds of tar. Three years later, it pumped out the carcinogen benzene from underground plumes.
In 2007, portions of the park were closed so investigators could better understand tar that kept bubbling up from below.
Schroeter said he fears that all the people showing up at the park at once could kick loose the 18-inch cap of protective soil that helps keep contaminants locked in the dirt.
People have been watching the fireworks from Gas Works since before I can even remember when they weren’t. it is one of the more highly prized viewing locations, with the top being on a boat in Lake Union just off shore from the park.
A one time a year exposure to whatever the park is “leaking” is harmless. In fact, this jackass should be countersued and be made to show that an exposure once every 365 days will hurt someone.