Partnership Partnership for Rural King for Rural King CountyCounty(PRKC)(PRKC)

January 12January 12thth, 2007 , 2007 Aerial TourAerial Tour

Jennifer Harrison-CoxJen@PRKC.org

Photos taken in Grand Ridge/Fall City area by Alan Bauer.

TodayToday

IntroductionsIntroductions 20 minute briefing20 minute briefing Fly over areaFly over area Return for Refreshments, Q&AReturn for Refreshments, Q&A

Takeaways:Takeaways:

• This group is well-This group is well-organized and organized and motivated;motivated;

• This project is This project is exciting, has merit and exciting, has merit and is time critical;is time critical;

• PRKC is something I PRKC is something I want to get behind and want to get behind and support!support!

PRKC: A Community Voice PRKC: A Community Voice

News of a proposed 80 acre clearcut sparked News of a proposed 80 acre clearcut sparked discussions and sharing of ideas discussions and sharing of ideas acrossacross neighborhoods and efforts.neighborhoods and efforts.

Out of the grapevine came a unified community voice.Out of the grapevine came a unified community voice.

PRKC Mission:PRKC Mission:

To work together on strategies that protect our watersheds, wildlife and natural beauty in the rural central King County areas of Issaquah, Grand Ridge, Preston and Fall City while encouraging recreational opportunities for local residents, metropolitan King County residents and area tourists.

Who Are We?Who Are We?

People with passion and interest in a healthy ecosystem and community.

Friends for the Wetlands of Issaquah North ForkPreston Community Club

Mitchell Hill Homeowners Association Friends of Woodland Ridge

Raging River RidersIssaquah Environmental Council

King County Executive Horse CouncilThe Rural Majority

Friends of Grand RidgeFriends of Soaring Eagle Regional Park

Sammamish Saddle ClubHorses for Clean Water

Issaquah Alps Trails ClubFriends of Fall City Arena(and more all the time)

Objectives for TodayObjectives for Today

Initiate partnership between County Initiate partnership between County Officials and PRKC to complete the Officials and PRKC to complete the work started in 1990:work started in 1990:

Connect the patchwork of protected landConnect the patchwork of protected land Create a truly regional visionCreate a truly regional vision

Present an immediate requestPresent an immediate request

Rallying Behind the GreenprintRallying Behind the Greenprint**

Ecological HealthEcological Health ““focus on protecting natural areas that are focus on protecting natural areas that are

important to water quality, salmon habitat, healthy important to water quality, salmon habitat, healthy forests and floodplains”forests and floodplains”

Cultural and Economic ValuesCultural and Economic Values ““these special places are part of the local and these special places are part of the local and

regional culture that is shared between generations”regional culture that is shared between generations” ConnectivityConnectivity

““the value of individual open space and resource the value of individual open space and resource lands is dramatically enhanced when it is part of an lands is dramatically enhanced when it is part of an interconnected system”interconnected system”

*Greenprint for King County prepared for WLRD by The Trust for Public Land, March 2005

Protection AvenuesProtection Avenues

Coordinated efforts and tools:Coordinated efforts and tools:

Straight acquisitionStraight acquisition Conservation easementsConservation easements Transfer of Development RightsTransfer of Development Rights Working ForestlandsWorking Forestlands PBRS and other CUT ProgramsPBRS and other CUT Programs Farmland TrustFarmland Trust Private or non-profit TrustPrivate or non-profit Trust

Target ParcelsTarget Parcels

Each meets at least 2 of the Greenprint Goals:Each meets at least 2 of the Greenprint Goals: Include much of the headwaters for Canyon Creek, Patterson Include much of the headwaters for Canyon Creek, Patterson

Creek and Issaquah North and East Forks (ecological)Creek and Issaquah North and East Forks (ecological) Preserve important rural view corridors including working Preserve important rural view corridors including working

forest land view-scapes as part of our local heritage (cultural)forest land view-scapes as part of our local heritage (cultural) Provide many opportunities for recreation (economic)Provide many opportunities for recreation (economic) Connect a patchwork of already protected lands (connectivity) Connect a patchwork of already protected lands (connectivity)

Many previously targeted (and some even funded) in earlier Many previously targeted (and some even funded) in earlier acquisitions efforts, but have not yet been realizedacquisitions efforts, but have not yet been realized

Build upon and complete the great work the County has Build upon and complete the great work the County has done with the Preston Vision, Mitchell Hill Forest Connector, done with the Preston Vision, Mitchell Hill Forest Connector, Grand Ridge Park and the Fall City Subarea Plan.Grand Ridge Park and the Fall City Subarea Plan.

Are the few remaining undeveloped parcels and are rising Are the few remaining undeveloped parcels and are rising steeply in valuesteeply in value

Private Conservation WinsPrivate Conservation Wins 10/10/06 Grand Ridge area neighbors meeting 10/10/06 Grand Ridge area neighbors meeting

provided:provided: a summary of what it took to protect what we have todaya summary of what it took to protect what we have today an update on the Grand Ridge Park planan update on the Grand Ridge Park plan info on King County PBRS and Managed Forest programsinfo on King County PBRS and Managed Forest programs info on conservation options and stewardship toolsinfo on conservation options and stewardship tools

The Results:The Results: 37 people showed up, a great many were new faces37 people showed up, a great many were new faces 25 properties were identified on our map as belonging to 25 properties were identified on our map as belonging to

people in the room people in the room 23 properties totaling 113 acres enrolled 84 acres in the 23 properties totaling 113 acres enrolled 84 acres in the

PBRS programPBRS program At least 3 restoration/habitat projects are being planned in At least 3 restoration/habitat projects are being planned in

2 neighborhoods2 neighborhoods

PBRS 2006 ResultsPBRS 2006 ResultsPublicly Owned Land2006 PBRS AppsPrevious PBRSConservation EasementsTimber Land CUTAgriculture CUT ProgramForest Land CUT Program

The 80 AcresThe 80 Acres

Owners agreed to hold off beginning bridge/road building in Sept Owners agreed to hold off beginning bridge/road building in Sept 06 to explore County purchase – 06 to explore County purchase – County or CLC must respond County or CLC must respond to owner by March 1, ’07 with letter of intent.to owner by March 1, ’07 with letter of intent.

Previously targeted for Previously targeted for acquisitionacquisition

Borders Grand Ridge Park and Borders Grand Ridge Park and Mitchell Hill ForestMitchell Hill Forest

Has mature 2Has mature 2ndnd growth forest, growth forest, forested wetlands and 3 forested wetlands and 3 productive wild salmon productive wild salmon streamsstreams

FPA for clearcut issued Aug FPA for clearcut issued Aug 20062006

Cascade Land Conservancy Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC) is willing to assist County (CLC) is willing to assist County in acquisition in acquisition

CLC willing to manage PRKC CLC willing to manage PRKC fundraising dollarsfundraising dollars

Today’s Flight PlanToday’s Flight Plan

80 acres

critical connectors

trail connectorsFalls

FC view corridor

floodplain/agri land

Soaring Eagle

Notes on FlyingNotes on Flying

Flight time is approximately 40 min.Flight time is approximately 40 min. Headsets will be worn for talking with each Headsets will be worn for talking with each

other over an intercom.other over an intercom. Cabin temperature can be controlled as in a Cabin temperature can be controlled as in a

car.car. Bring sunglasses if you have them.Bring sunglasses if you have them. Bring a water bottle (provided).Bring a water bottle (provided). Please tell the pilot or guide if you are Please tell the pilot or guide if you are

uncomfortable in any way.uncomfortable in any way. Your pilot will return to the airport Your pilot will return to the airport

immediately upon your request.immediately upon your request.

TakeawaysTakeaways

This group is well-organized and This group is well-organized and motivated; motivated;

This project is exciting, has merit and This project is exciting, has merit and is time critical;is time critical;

PRKC is something I want to get PRKC is something I want to get behind and support!behind and support!

Our AsksOur AsksNext 6 weeks:Next 6 weeks:

Issue a letter of intent to C&G Timber before March 1, 2007 to purchase parcel 1824079011, demonstrate County intentions to owner, and start acquisitions discussions (Executive Office and Council)

Provide resources to develop a strategy/plan to bring these lands into King County inventory or to protect by other means and to drive priorities and a timeline. (Executive Office)

Designate a senior-level official to liaison with a PRKC representative and to champion PRKC initiatives within King County. (Executive Office)

Next 12 weeks:Next 12 weeks:

Provide a staff member to support PRKC efforts by way of working with the Executive’s Office; drafting Motions and submitting for Council vote; and educating the Council on projects and status as appropriate. (Council)

Keep eyes open for funds that may become redirected from acquisitions projects that are funded but not going to be realized. (Executive Office and Council)

Next Budget Cycle:Next Budget Cycle:

Fund King County DNRP to work with the community and to develop and execute budget, operating and maintenance plans in support of PRKC Visions. (Executive Office and Council)

PRKC Contacts & InformationPRKC Contacts & Information

Overall PRKC Overall PRKC CoordinationCoordination Jennifer Harrison-CoxJennifer Harrison-Cox

jen@prkc.org jen@prkc.org www.prkc.org www.prkc.org

FundraisingFundraising Lauren ClarkLauren Clarklauren@prkc.orglauren@prkc.org

www.prkc.org www.prkc.org

Fall City VisionFall City Vision Charlie KelloggCharlie Kelloggchkellogg@centurytel.netchkellogg@centurytel.net

www.FallCity.org www.FallCity.org

Preston Vision UpdatePreston Vision Update Doug McClellandDoug McClellandmccnw@centurytel.net mccnw@centurytel.net

http://www.PrestonWA.org/ http://www.PrestonWA.org/

Rural King County Rural King County Equestrian VisionEquestrian Vision Lee ModerowLee Moderow

leemod@pobox.comleemod@pobox.comhttp://http://

www.SammamishSaddleClub.orgwww.SammamishSaddleClub.org

Grand Ridge VisionGrand Ridge Vision Jennifer Harrison-CoxJennifer Harrison-Coxjen@prkc.org jen@prkc.org www.prkc.org www.prkc.org

PRKC would like to thank our sponsors and PRKC would like to thank our sponsors and supporters for making this event possible…supporters for making this event possible…

King County Councilmemember Kathy LambertKing County Councilmemember Kathy Lambert

King County Councilmemember Jane HagueKing County Councilmemember Jane Hague

King County Councilmemember Larry PhillipsKing County Councilmemember Larry Phillips

King County Executive’s OfficeKing County Executive’s Office

LightHawkLightHawk

Galvin Flying ServicesGalvin Flying Services

Cascade Land ConservancyCascade Land Conservancy

Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust

Washington State Department of Natural ReourcesWashington State Department of Natural Reources

Washington State Department of Fish and WildlifeWashington State Department of Fish and Wildlife

Friends for the Wetlands of Issaquah NorthforkFriends for the Wetlands of Issaquah Northfork

Fall City Community Association (FCCA)Fall City Community Association (FCCA)

Preston Community ClubPreston Community Club

The Rural MajorityThe Rural Majority

The Issaquah Environmental CouncilThe Issaquah Environmental Council

The City of SammamishThe City of Sammamish

The City of IssaquahThe City of Issaquah

We would also like to especially thank:We would also like to especially thank:

Maryanne Tagney Jones, CLC Board PresidentMaryanne Tagney Jones, CLC Board PresidentDoug Schindler, MTS Director of Special ProjectsDoug Schindler, MTS Director of Special Projects

Doug McClelland, Preston Community ClubDoug McClelland, Preston Community ClubKen Konigsmark, The Rural MajorityKen Konigsmark, The Rural Majority

Gordon Iverson, Property OwnerGordon Iverson, Property OwnerAlan Bauer, PhotographerAlan Bauer, PhotographerJeff Wandling, WebmasterJeff Wandling, Webmaster

Jack E. Kelley and Ruth Pickering, HistoriansJack E. Kelley and Ruth Pickering, HistoriansDavid Kimmett, King County ParksDavid Kimmett, King County ParksBrett Roberts, King County ParksBrett Roberts, King County Parks

Mary Maier, King County Issaquah Basin StewardMary Maier, King County Issaquah Basin StewardSally King, King County PBRS ProgramSally King, King County PBRS ProgramBenj Wadsworth, King County ForestryBenj Wadsworth, King County ForestryKristi McClelland, King County ForestryKristi McClelland, King County Forestry

and our neighborhood leaders and residents inand our neighborhood leaders and residents in

Issaquah North Fork, Black Nugget, Grand Ridge, High Point, Issaquah North Fork, Black Nugget, Grand Ridge, High Point, Mitchell Hill, Preston, Woodland Ridge, Soaring Eagle, Mitchell Hill, Preston, Woodland Ridge, Soaring Eagle,

Fall City, West Fall City, Klahanie, Beaver Lake, Trossachs, Issaquah HighlandsFall City, West Fall City, Klahanie, Beaver Lake, Trossachs, Issaquah Highlands

Questions?Questions?

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