Seattle dismissed our environmental challenge. We’ve appealed — on behalf of Southern Resident Killer Whales
Photo by Candice Emmons taken under NOAA Federal Permit No. 16163.
The City Approved a Harmful Plan
Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) failed to fully evaluate the environmental consequences of increased development, especially the removal of mature trees. Trees reduce and filter polluted runoff that affects human health, salmon, and the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Instead of correcting these oversights, the city dismissed public concerns — including ours.
We Filed a Legal Appeal to Protect Healthy Habitats & Homes
Feb 13th 2025, a citywide appeal of the Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was filed, asking Seattle to study how increased tree loss and stormwater runoff would affect our ecosystem. The appeal was grounded in science, public health, and NOAA’s SRKW Recovery Plan. The appellant had legal standing, expert witnesses, and community support — but the city shut the door on due process.
The City Tried to Block Our Challenge
On April 11, 2025, the Hearing Examiner dismissed the appeal, despite clear standing and urgent environmental concerns. This set a dangerous precedent: that the public can be denied a fair hearing on major environmental decisions. We challenged that dismissal to restore the public’s right to defend health, wildlife, and climate resilience in city planning.
To effectively address both housing affordability and climate equity, the City must ensure its 20-year growth plan is based on inclusive and scientifically sound environmental analyses.
On June 1, 2026 , the Washington State Court of Appeals (Case No. 882520) ruled in favor of the Orca Appeal allowing the environmental challenges and merits of the EIS adequacy to proceed. The City has delayed the comprehensive plan; delays did not come from this appeal. We’ll continue pushing the city to reduce harm to endangered orcas, salmon, trees, and communities.
We’re Taking It to the Courts
We Need Your Help
Help us improve the city’s comprehensive plan EIS to make our city more livable and green for people and wildlife. Donations go toward legal costs. Any funds left over will support orca and tree protection nonprofits. For tax deductible donations, select “Orca Nexus” from the drop-down menu at Orca Conservancy.
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Ask the City of Seattle to protect baby orcas, salmon, trees, and clean water as they densify. The public deserves a voice in environmental decisions.
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Show you care about protecting orcas, salmon, trees, and clean water. Your signature sends a clear message: the public deserves a voice in environmental decisions that impact everyone.
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Why is Seattle Moving Forward with a Comprehensive Plan without an adequate Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?
Seattle is quietly dismantling the State Environmental Act (SEPA) using this EIS to “rubber stamp” most development for the next 20 years. Removing environmental review for some of the most environmentally impactful construction and protections for Culturally Resources, like Culturally Modified Trees (CB121093).
Despite the significance more than doubling the housing capacity, OPCD conducted no additional analyses of the impacts of the proposed zoning and building code proposals on the elements of the environment listed in the Scoping Report and DEIS. No supplemental EIS was prepared.
Everyone Loses without Environmental Review
Degraded water quality and stormwater pollution pose serious risks to fish and wildlife populations, including ESA-listed salmonids and the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales.
Photo by Cindy Gage at David Arkenstone’s recording session for Dungeon Master’s Original Soundtrack, 2026
About
In February 2025, a Hearing Examiner appeal was filed following 10 months of meetings with the city regarding protecting the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales and the ecosystem they depend on. Orca Nexus was formed and now has over 2,500 supporters, working at the intersection of science, advocacy, and community engagement to advance SKRW protections in collaboration with many environmental groups signing an Amicus: Orca Conservancy, Birds Connect Seattle, Captain Paul Watson Foundation, Orca Network, Thornton Creek Alliance, PlantAmnesty, American Cetacean Society of Puget Sound, Oceanic Preservation Society (makers of The Cove), Ash & Elm Consulting, and more. I'm so grateful to be represented in the Orca Appeal by long time public interest attorney, Toby Thaler, in the Court of Appeals and the Growth Management Hearing Board with 7 co-petitioners and anti-displacement claims added. I’ve volunteered with a rescue rehab release marine mammal facility and perform for the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, and on studio soundtracks including DOTA, World of Warcraft, Halo, Prince of Persia, Gears of War, Elden Ring, and The Revenant.
Massive thanks to all the supporters, volunteers, donors, and collaborators that are helping to protect the ecosystem as Washington's largest city densifies.
-Jennifer Godfrey, Board member of American Cetacean Society of Puget Sound and Trees and People Coalition
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