EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with new information courtesy complainant John Lucas:
By Scott Schaefer
Founder/Publisher
SeaTac residents hoping to celebrate Independence Day with a traditional fireworks display at Angle Lake may be disappointed this year, as the city has decided they will be replacing it with a drone light show due to a legal interpretation of a 1932 Washington State Supreme Court ruling.
John Lucas, a resident who lives near Angle Lake, filed a complaint with the city, citing a state law concerning “non-navigable” lakes. The 1932 ruling, “Snively vs. State,” and 1956 ruling “Snively v. Jaber” determined that Angle Lake falls under this category. Court documents state that legal ownership of non-navigable lakes extends to the center of the waterbody for waterfront property owners, according to the ruling. This, in turn, grants them certain usage rights.
Lucas argued that events like hydroplane races – which require closing off sections of the lake – infringe on property owners’ rights (NOTE: Lucas’ complaint did not include the City’s fireworks displays; the City on its own made an expansive interpretation of the 1956 Court Case, and canceled the fireworks).
SeaTac City Attorney Mary Bartolo concurred with this interpretation, fearing potential litigation, and the City canceled numerous lake-based events, including the hydroplane races, 4th of July fireworks displays and others.
Lucas emphasized that – when learning of the City’s decision – he “argued that the fireworks were allowable as they do not ‘unreasonably’ affect the other owners.”
While the full impact of this decision remains unclear, questions have arisen regarding other events like swimming races and sailboat regattas.
SeaTac Parks and Recreation is moving forward with a drone light show as an alternative at Angle Lake on the 4th of July. The City Council was expected to vote on approving funds for the show during their Tuesday (Mar. 25, 2024) meeting. The drone show, estimated to cost $40,000, would feature 200 drones. In comparison, the City of Des Moines held a 100-drone show for their 2023 4th of July event, which cost $90,000.
The decision to cancel the fireworks has been met with mixed reactions. Some residents, like Lucas and leaders of the Angle Lake Manor Club, had previously voiced their opposition to noise generated by hydroplane races, usually held in September.
Many others are disappointed that the traditional fireworks display – as well as other popular lake-based events like hydro races, kayak and paddle board races and even water rescue practices by Puget Sound Fire – may no longer take place.
Around 8,000 people attended last year’s 4th of July fireworks show at Angle Lake, the City said.
The SeaTac City Council was expected to vote Tuesday night, Mar. 26, 2024 on approving the proposed $40,000 drone light show.
Despite the setback, there may still be fireworks over Angle Lake this year, as the Angle Lake Shore Club is reportedly sponsoring a private, perhaps final, fireworks display. The details and permit for this display are still being finalized.
I am John Lucas.
The writer of this article did NOT reach out to me at either of my phones or via email .
If he had reached out to me or done a “Freedom of Information” request with the City he would know that I NEVER mentioned or objected to the Fireworks when I reached out to the City.
After I learned that the City was planning on not supporting the fireworks I did reach out to them to point out that neither the 1932 decision in SNIVELY vs STATE or the 1956 SNIVELY vs JABER would prevent the City (or others) from presenting the fireworks.
The reason – the Court decisions only speak to activities that would “unreasonably” affect others rights.
From SNIVELY vs JABER – “any proprietor or his licensee may use the entire surface of a lake so long as he does not unreasonably interfere with the exercise of similar rights by the other owners.”
The fireworks barge uses less than 1% of the surface of the lake.
The City made it’s decision about the fireworks – but not based on my complaint or argument.
If you disagree with the City’s decision please let the City Manager know.
John – I did reach out to you via email (screenshot here: https://seatacblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JohnLucasEmail.jpg) seeking to get comment, but since I didn’t have a phone number that was my only means of communication.
I’m willing to add your info to this story, and have sent you another email.
Thanks,
Scott
All I can say about that screen shot is that the email was never received by me (I have gone back and searched and it was never received on my end.)
I believe you know many of the Shore Club members (maybe one of them even gave you my name?), I wish you had asked them for my phone number which is in the Angle Lake Directory.
I will send you copies of my emails with the City (which you could have obtained with a FOI request) – I hope they will lead to a correction of the misstatements in the article.
John
Please consider signing our petition to preserve the 4th of July fireworks tradition on Angle Lake! This event is a cherished tradition for our community!
https://www.change.org/Angle_Lake_July4th
Thanks Scott,
This is a result of the city ignoring half of the citizens who live here who voted against hydros on the lake. It’s a saga. That brought the lawsuit to stop them. The city leapt to include firework cancellation. No one complains about that, as far as I know.
Deb, I’ve heard “half” in favor or half opposed or “50/50” for or against comments by the Manor President (or self proclaimed Queen) Tani Rae Standridge and now you… can you please tell me where you’ve received this data or supply me with your source? In speaking to many shoreline residents, virtually all have been in favor or could care less – only a very minute few have been vehemently opposed as the few living off the lake in the manor… am I wrong?
Results from the Cities last survey (as supplied by the City os SeaTac)
Hydro Outreach Overview
1. Notice of Application Results
Total Households that were mailed to: 548
Total Households that Responded: 50
Total Households Opposed to the Event: 32
Total Households Supporting Event: 18
2. Survey Monkey Results
Total Households that Responded: 188
Total Households Supporting Event: 122
Total Households Opposed to the Event: 66
3. Survey Monkey Households within 400’ of shoreline
Total Households Supporting Event: 50
Total Households Opposing Event: 45
In my opinion, sending out a mailer asking for a response is going to produce significantly different results than going door to door requesting a response from every single location included in the scope of the survey, which is how the Shore Club produced the irrefutable result of 87% in favor/or impartial versus 13% against. If you applied that same methodology to the mailer 548 queried and only 32 responded against – I think those results speak for itself!!!
Mr. Lucas, it is my understanding that your legal standing to bring a possible lawsuit against the City based on 1932 and 1956 Washington State court decisions may be based on you being a 1/124th owner of the Manor Club beach lot even though your personal property is not on the Angle Lake shoreline and you do not reside on the SW leg where the hydro races occur. You may or may not intend to bring suit but the mere possibility of that lawsuit was apparently of sufficient concern that the City has made the recent decision to not permit certain events.
I do also understand that your complaint was about the limited hydroplanes (which you do not like) and was not specifically about the fireworks, nor sailing regattas nor sanctioned swim meets that have occurred over the years. *List those under “unintended consequences”.
The gist of the court cases and your argument seems to be that our rights as property owners cannot be infringed upon.
I don’t know what the actual legal rules are but I think it has been pretty well understood by lake residents that during the set-up of the fireworks, the delivery of the fireworks barge to their location(s) and the actual shooting off of the fireworks it is not only prudent but very likely lawfully required to give them a wide birth. It is also well known that while a large majority of residents enjoy and look forward to our community fireworks there are also some residents that simply don’t like fireworks for a variety of reasons.
Regarding the Frank Hansen Memorial hydroplane races. These are very well organized and sanctioned by the APBA and have in my opinion been a great addition to the summer events on Angle Lake. They are in fact sort of the last hurrah of summer. Like the fireworks they are also enjoyed by a great many residents. I believe the races are generally from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday, and noon to 5:00pm on Sunday. Again, I am not sure of the precise rules but it seems to be understood that boat traffic on the SW leg (but not the NE leg where you live as per the Directory you referenced) is curtailed while the race boats are on the water. I do not possess the results of several surveys that have been taken over the years but anecdotally I believe the majority of respondents have either approved of them or been ambivalent, with a vocal minority opposing them (yourself included) primarily because they are noisy.
In 20 years on Angle Lake and until your official complaint, I have never once heard of a single resident complaining that his/her navigation rights were being infringed upon due to any of the events on the lake. I don’t know if you personally have a boat or if you personally have ever had your water navigation rights actually infringed upon but I suspect not. Rather it is a convenient legal argument to eliminate something you simply don’t like, regardless of the detriment to many neighbors, Angle Lake residents and the community at large that enjoy what you do not.
One of the great appeals of Angle Lake has been the excellent sense of community and the considerable effort put in by so many individuals to put these various events on. Societally we are devolving into a culture of “if you can’t get your way then get a lawyer”. Your actions probably can’t be undone even if you wanted to now, but I for one think it was incredibly selfish and divisive that one very small but loud voice is able to quash a community event(s) because you were inconvenienced by noise for two 5 -7 hour periods over the summer. You may not have intended to offer up one more reason to pit neighbor against neighbor, but if you did,…. then well done.
Bruce Bryant
Bruce – well written comments – I hope you have shared your thoughts with the City.
Mr. Lucas. In looking at all that has happened since your discovery and the fallout that has resulted in the cancellation of just about everything on the lake, in hindsight wouldn’t it have been prudent to meet with some of the members of the shore club and lake front owners to share what you discovered and come up with a plan that would have been a win-win for all? No city government would ever take the risk of having any kind of litigation brought against them, and I know that you would have recognized that, so why couldn’t we have all just gotten together, worked out a solution that could benefit everyone, present it to the city and continue to enjoy the beautiful lakefront community that we all cherish so much. As with any community you can’t please all of the people all of the time, so why didn’t we spend more time finding a solution that works for the majority? Since you started all of this, I would like to challenge you, the instigator, to put as much effort in finding a solution as you did in the 2 cases you dug up and presented to the city. You name the date, time and place where you want to meet up and I will be there as I would rather be a part of a community that looks out for others, takes care of one another, and investigates solutions than to worry about one individual who just wants their own way at the expense of others. My phone number is 541-727-2403. Call me when you have a plan and would like someone to partner with you. If you can accomplish that then you might be able to change the current reputation that you have created for yourself. Please reflect on this, as the impact you have started and created is way beyond anything you can begin to imagine. Looking forward to hearing from you John.
Thanks!
John Bennett
President and member of the Angle Lake Shore Club.
John (Lucas), I assumed that if this is a City blog that the City would be monitoring it but if there is someone in particular that you think I should share this with additionally, please let me know and I will forward my comments on. BB
This is NOT a City of SeaTac blog – it is a privately run news site (to my understanding) so I don’t know why the City would monitor it any more than they would monitor the Highline News.
In contacting the City you might start with the City Manager’s office.
Take care.
Mr. Bennett,
As President of the Shore Club you have always had access to my phone number and email.
Instead of reaching out to me you have here published a speech putting forth your opinions about what I should/could have done.
Therefore I have no interest in meeting or speaking with you at this time.
Do keep addressing the City with your concerns – as I have done
Thanks for your reply Mr. Lucas, however unfortunately I have not stated opinions, but rather opportunities, potential solutions, and some facts here. The undisputable fact here is exactly what you just stated in your last note:
“you have always had access to my phone number and email”.
This works both ways here Mr. Lucas, and if you had contacted anyone about your findings, since you did have my contact info, and I would have gone out of my way to meet with you, this may have gone a different way.
Normally individuals who don’t want to meet with others in circumstances like this is usually a sign of guilt. I’m sure you didn’t have any intention of affecting the fireworks, however just about anyone can see how the city would have to look at everything possible that could be tied into this new information that you presented. My previous note was to specifically call out the impact of your investigation, where it has led, and to reflect on how this could have been handled differently. I have offered my help, assistance, and insights and how to possibly turn all of this around.
If your position is “Therefore I have no interest in meeting or speaking with you at this time”, then you have just made your position known to myself and the community. Again, no opinions here, just facts that you have provided simply by your actions and what you have stated. I still stand by my offer to work together with you and am working towards a solution for everyone. I am inviting you to join us in helping out, or not. The decision on that rests solely on your shoulders. Your actions here will always speak louder than any words you give, including “Do keep addressing the City with your concerns”. Right now that just isn’t working. The next step is up to you. Thanks for listening. John.
Be careful what you wish for, right? One person’s mission to shut down a great community event with deep roots in Seattle’s long history around boat racing leads to a string of by-the-book consequences that impact hundreds (if not thousands) of lives, local commerce, and community building events, which we sorely need these days.
This NIMBY (not in my back yard!) doesn’t even live on the shore!?
Way to absolutely disappoint thousands of people. Do you even know the history of the Hydro races on the lake? I would love to know why you didn’t take the time to ask the community ( you stated above that there’s an email list for the shore club) instead of going right to the city?