NEWS!

(6/20/08) On Saturday, June 28th the MLC will be hosting a booth at the Mountain Loop Highway reopening celebration in Granite Falls. We'll have lots of educational materials, freebies and balloons for the kids. Plan on stopping by to say "Hi". MLC members: we can always use more folks at the booth to help spread the word about who we are and what we do. If you're interested in helping out, email Sonia at: SoniaKThompson@aol.com.

(6/7/08)  Bruce Barnbaum has generously donated a limited number of beautiful, 18" x 24" B&W prints to the MLC that are to be given to those who show their support by donating at or above the $25 level. See brucephoto.jpg

(5/28/08) The Seattle Times ran a story today covering the proposed motocross racetracks along the Mountain Loop highway. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004442354_motocross28m.html

(5/20/08) The MLC has learned that the Snohomish County Planning Department has decided to exercise their option to order an independent audit of the noise study that was submitted with the MXGP application. The original noise study, submitted in June of last year contained a number of significant errors and omissions that were pointed out to the county in a letter from the MLC. Click here . As a result of those concerns and the review performed by the county, MXGP was asked to revise the study and provide further information. MXGP responded with a second submittal that was sent to the county in December of '07. Again, the study contained major errors that lead to erroneous conclusions, and those deficiencies were pointed out to the county in a letter from the MLC: SCPD_noise_2-4-08.pdf  Subsequently, MXGP has been ordered to pay for the revised noise study to be reviewed by a local firm, Perteet Engineering. The results of that audit are due back in June. 

The MLC believes that both noise studies submitted by the applicant are fundamentally flawed to the extent that nearly all conclusions are invalid. As a result, it is anticipated that the county will require MXGP to obtain an entirely new noise analysis that accurately estimates the noise levels that would result in areas surrounding the proposed site should it be constructed.

(4/29/08) Be sure and check out our ad in todays edition of the Lake Stevens Journal, designed and created by our very own graphic artist, Siobhan!

(4/25/08) Now there are more ways you can show your determination to keep the Mountain Loop a special place. We have a limited number of 18" x 24" double-sided "No Motocross On Mt. Loop!" signs. To view, click on  MtLoopConservancy_Sign.jpg. We are requesting an optional $10 donation per sign to cover production and shipping costs.

(3/1/08)  The MLC has elected Jim Dockery to fill the position of Treasure effective immediately. Jim has been an active part of our effort for many months and is responsible for developing the MLC primary website, www.Mtloopconservancy.org.  Jim will be assisted with the number-crunching by his wife Debbie Rowley. We are fortunate to have them both involved in this important role.

(2/29/08)  MXGP, Inc. submitted essentially a new application in December of '07 in an attempt to address the many requests by the county and questions/concerns of local citizens. Included in the new submittal were revised noise, traffic, soil, geological/hydrological studies as well as several new narratives. A review of the second noise study revealed that most of the deficiencies the MLC had pointed out in the first study had not been addressed, so a second letter has been drafted, SCPD_noise_2-4-08.pdf  and will be submitted to the County. We are confident the county will order a 3rd-party review of the noise study, an option the county has per code and that the study will be rejected by the county planning department once those findings are returned.

(2/28/08) The revised traffic study submitted by the applicant has been rejected by the planning department as being inadequate. This second traffic study rejection will require considerable time for the numerous deficiencies to be resolved, and delays the SEPA determination as a result.

(1/15/08) The NCCC has made a generous grant to assist the MLC in its effort to keep the Mountain Loop Highway area clean and quiet. This funding has allowed for the retention of a top-notch environmental/land use attorney who will lend invaluable input. We are extremely fortunate to have this support. A very big "THANK YOU" to the NCCC. 

(12/29/07) MXGP has submitted their response to the County Planning Departments first review of the motocross project. Included in their response is a short narrative aimed at responding to the 200+ letters of opposition that have thus far been submitted to the County. As part of the Counties review, they will issue a Determination of Significance (DS) or Non-significance (DN). If the County decides in favor of DS, the project will then undergo the more thorough Environmental Impact review process, which the MLC believes is the responsible direction for the County to take given the broad extent of impact this project would have. The preliminary review performed by the County was cursory but this review, in theory, should be much more extensive. The MLC will have this current version of the application reviewed by the appropriate consultants to help ensure there are no oversights. We would anticipate news as to the Counties decision within 2 weeks. To view the various documents and studies that have been submitted by the applicant, click here.

(12/20/07) Most anyone who has spent time on the Mt. Loop Highway probably noticed a rather scraggly-looking dog wandering along the road anywhere from about milepost 3 on up to the top of Sand Hill. For many years he has made the highway home and managed to get by thanks to some very good people who kept him fed and watered. Imagine the stories he could tell! Well, our old friend has "retired" and a story of how that happened was written up in The Herald. It's a great story that will help keep your faith in people alive and well. For those who would like to help Mr. Duncan with the dogs vet bill, donations may be sent to his home, 2310 N. LaVenture, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273. For the latest on how "Hobo" is doing, click on Hobo News.

(12/07) As tax time approaches you may be considering various ways to reduce your payment to Uncle Sam. To receive a tax deduction while supporting the efforts of the Mountain Loop Conservancy, click here!

(12/11/07) A letter has been drafted and sent to MXGP, the promoters of the racing complex to inform them of the strong, united effort that the MLC, local residents and recreational users have made in order to preserve the scenic environment along the Mountain Loop Highway. The letter should leave no doubt as to the level of committment shared among those opposed to the project.

(12/10/07) The MLC has received word from a well-known Washington-based conservation group that a major grant has been preliminarily approved to assist in our effort to prevent the construction of a motocross park along the Mt. Loop Highway. It is estimated that legal and professional consulting fees could reach $30-$40,000 to defeat the project, and this initial grant will be of tremendous benefit towards that effort. Complete details will be announced once the process is complete.

(11/9/07) MLC has submitted a letter to Forest Systems, LLC of Mt. Vernon, WA requesting they reconsider their participation in the MXGP Motocross Park project. As one of the three parties involved in the pending purchase of land where the commercial motocross facility would be located, Forest Systems LLC would share in the many environmental, legal and community problems that would result. Along with our letter are petitions bearing over 400 signatures of local residents and recreational users that oppose the development.

(10/25/07) The Mountain Loop Highway has re-opened, at least for now.

(9/13/07) SCA members vote to change the name of our organization to (drum roll, please), The Mountain Loop Conservancy, effective immediately. More about this recent change at TMLC.

(8/17/07) The County has finished their first review of the proposal. Click here to view the comments.

Check out Letters to the Editor:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070922/OPINION03/709220001

http://www.marysvilleglobe.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=120&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=2795&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1761&hn=marysvilleglobe&he=.com

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=snolets22&date=20070822&query=motocross

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070903/OPINION02/109030002

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070902/OPINION02/109020004

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