What:
Beginning Monday, April 2, 2001, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation will release the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Woodland Park Zoo’s proposed Long-Range Plan 2001 (LRP 2001). The 30-day review and comment period on the Draft EIS will close May 1, 2001.

LRP 2001, an update of the zoo’s 1976 Long-Range Plan, is a 20-year physical development roadmap. While the original LRP pioneered state-of-the-art zoo exhibitry, the updated plan aims to revolutionize how people use these exhibits as well as the rest of the zoo. It will adapt to changing conditions and needs unforeseen in the 1970s, placing more emphasis on achieving a broadened public education mission on wildlife conservation and visitor services, including expanded on-site visitor parking. New physical developments include completion of long-needed new facilities for jaguars, wild dogs and tigers.

How:
Copies of the documents will be available for public viewing at the Downtown Central Library and the Greenwood, Greenlake, Fremont and Ballard Libraries; and weekdays during regular zoo hours at Woodland Park Zoo’s ARC near the zoo’s West Gate at
N. 55th St. & Phinney Ave. N. Both documents in their entirety will be available on the zoo’s Web home page at www.zoo.org by April 4, and can be purchased in person at the ARC for $15.00 per document, or ordered by phone at 206.684.4856. An additional $5.00 per document will be charged for handling and mailing.

Written comments on the Draft EIS may be mailed to Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103-5897, “Attention: Jim Maxwell-DEIS Comments.” Comments may also be submitted electronically, accessible from the zoo’s Web site at www.zoo.org. The Final EIS will respond to all comments on the Draft EIS postmarked by midnight, May 1, 2001.

Other:
Thursday, May 10, 7:30 p.m.: the Board of Park Commissioners will hold a public hearing to accept comments on the LRP 2001 proposal. Where: Seattle Parks and Recreation Boardroom at 100 Dexter Ave. N.

Wednesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m.: a community open house will be held to review documents and illustrations. Zoo staff will be on hand to answer questions. A public hearing at 7:30 p.m. will follow the open house and formal testimony will be taken as it pertains to the Draft EIS only. Where: Woodland Park Zoo Auditorium near the South Gate at N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N. Parking is free.