What:
The community is invited to an open house and public hearing to review the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Woodland Park Zoo’s proposed Long-Range Plan 2001 (LRP 2001). Documents and illustrations will be available for review and zoo staff will be on hand to answer questions. The public hearing will accept formal testimony as it pertains to the Draft EIS only.

When:
Wednesday, April 25. Open house: 6:30 p.m., followed by the public hearing at 7:30 p.m.

Where:
Woodland Park Zoo Auditorium near the South Gate at N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N. Parking is free.

Info:
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.

The review and comment period on the Draft EIS is until May 1, 2001. Copies of the documents are currently 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 can also be found on the zoo’s Web home page at www.zoo.org 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.