Lines in the Mud
Hey again. Ember here.
If you’ve ever thought, Wow, it seems like this is more than just a school project, you’d be right.
Things just got a lot more real.
When Grownups Actually Help
After Eva and I found the hand-drawn map, we didn’t know what to do with it. It looked real. Important. But the more we Googled things like 1954 wetland boundary reports and protected marshland flood zones, the more confused we got.
So I did something I don’t usually do with big mysteries:
I asked my mom for help.
Mom works for the city’s environmental office. She reads things like soil impact reports for fun and owns waterproof boots in three different colors. When I showed her the map, she stared at it for a full minute, said a few words I won’t type here, then asked where we found it.
We told her everything.
What We Learned
The new plan for Thurston includes an updated wetland delineation—basically a map saying what land counts as wetland and what doesn’t. It’s super important, because if it’s classified as wetland, they can’t build on it.
But guess who paid for the delineation?
The construction company.
They hired a private firm to redraw the lines. The new version makes the wetland look smaller. Way smaller. The part they want to build on? It used to be protected. Now, magically, it isn’t.
That’s not illegal… exactly. But it’s fishy. And definitely not how it’s supposed to work.
Especially when—
Water Doesn’t Lie
Here’s the thing Mom explained:
The trees and berms in the Nature Center don’t just look nice. They hold water during heavy rain. Without them, runoff will flood nearby neighborhoods.
The new plan replaces that natural system with a giant underground reservoir and pumps. Mom raised her eyebrows when she said that. Not in a good way.
“On a wetland,” she said, “you don’t force nature to fit your building. You build to fit nature. Otherwise, your foundation cracks by the time your first class photo goes up.”
The Teachers Know
Eva and I have been paying attention.
Really paying attention.
At lunch, we heard Mr. Holbrook say, “We all know this isn’t right, but we’re not allowed to speak out.”
At recess, Ms. Drayton looked toward the Nature Center and muttered, “They’ve already made up their minds.”
The teachers know.
They just can’t say anything.
Maybe because of the school board.
Maybe because they’re afraid of losing their jobs.
Either way, they’re being kept quiet.
What Happens Now
Mom’s looking into the delineation more formally. She’s not making promises, but she did say, “You two might be onto something.”
Eva and I feel something shifting.
The ghost is still silent.
But the ground feels less steady than ever.
✌️ Ember