Transcript 07.29.08 Grand Ridge 80 - Partnership for Rural King County

Grand Ridge – Canyon Creek Acquisition
RCO #08-1787 – Urban Wildlife
July 2008
Snohomish Basin (WRIA 7)
Skykomish Watershed
Snoqualmie
Watershed
Three parcels: 75 acres
Connected to 2,200 acres
of public land:
Grand Ridge Park
Mitchell Hill Forest
Tiger Mountain Forest
Grand Ridge
Park
Project will protect 75 acres of mature coniferous forest
including 4200 feet of Canyon Creek
The Bigger Picture
 Snohomish River Basin Salmon Conservation Plan (2005)
 Snohomish Basin Steelhead Trout ‘State of the Knowledge’ Technical
Memorandum (2008)
 Waterways 2000 (1995)
 Patterson Creek Rapid Rural Reconnaissance (2004)
 Parks Open Space Plan (2006)
Uniqueness/Significance
Snohomish Basin is second
largest basin in Puget Sound
Patterson Creek – High
Priority basin – Waterways
2000
Canyon Creek – highest
quality basin in Patterson
Creek
Headwaters protection of
Canyon Creek
Photo by Allan Bauer in Grand Ridge area
Uniqueness/Significance
Seventy five acres of mature
coniferous forest
Close proximity to cities of
Sammamish, Issaquah and
Snoqualmie
Connected to 2,200 acres of public
land
Most diverse salmonid spawning
population in Patterson Creek
Cold water infusion to Patterson Creek
Fish and Wildlife Species and Communities
Target Fish Species include:
Steelhead (ESA-threatened)
Coho
Chinook (ESA-threatened)
Cutthroat Trout
Other Aquatic Target Species
Western Pearlshell Mussel
Salmon and Trout Distribution
Yellow = Chinook
Red = Coho
Blue = Steelhead
Fish and Wildlife Species/Communities
Birds
115 species of birds
27 known nesters
Target Species include:
•Bald Eagle
•Pileated Woodpecker
•Northern Pygmy Owl
•Merlin
•Coopers Hawk
Photos by Allan Bauer in Grand Ridge area
Fish and Wildlife Species/Communities
Mammals
33 species of mammals
Target species include:
• Black Bear
• Bobcat
• Cougar
• Short-tailed Weasel
• Flying Squirrel
Photo by Allen Bauer in Grand Ridge Area
Fish and Wildlife Species/Communities
Herps
Nine species including:
•Pacific Giant
Salamander
•Red Backed
Salamander
•Pacific Tree Frog
Photo by Allen Bauer in Grand Ridge Area
Fish and Wildlife Species/Communities
Plant Communities
Target Communities include:
•Western Red Cedar/Western
Hemlock/Devil’s
club/Sword Fern
•Old Growth/Mature Forest
•Snags and Logs
•Urban Natural Open Space
•Riparian Habitat
•Instream Habitat
Quality of Habitat
Mature coniferous habitat
Mature conifers with 50-60
inch diameters
Average stand age:
80 years
Abundance of old fire
snags
Intact riparian corridor
Woody debris in streams
Minimal invasive species
Immediacy of Threat to Species and
Communities
•Steelhead and
Chinook listed due to
loss of habitat
•Loss of mature
coniferous forests
due to development
Steelhead juvenile
on site: July 08
Species/Community Protection
Protection of headwaters of
Canyon Creek
Property poses last remaining
threat of development in
Canyon Creek basin
Protection of hydrologic and
sediment processes
(Snohomish Conservation Plan)
Ecological Roles/Taxonomic
Distinctness/Rarity
Wild Snoqualmie salmon stocks:
Steelhead (Threatened under ESA)
Both summer and winter run
Chinook (Threatened under ESA)
Six percent of historic abundance
Coho (Species of Concern under ESA)
Snohomish Basin produces 25 50% of all Puget Sound Coho
Immediacy of Threat to Habitat
 Potential harvest and
development of site
 Surveyed and permitted
for harvest in 2007 with
2008 extension
 RA-5 zoning would allow
15 houses, roads and
associated clearing
Long-Term Viability
•Landowners under one
LLC willing to sell for
conservation
•Managed as part of greater
Grand Ridge Natural Area
•King County manages
more than 20,000 acres of
open space and natural
areas
Enhancement of Existing Protected Land
and On-going Stewardship
Publicly reviewed and approved
Site Management Plan:
•
Documents significant
natural resources
•
Identifies public passive
recreation
•
Provides general
planning and
management guidance to
preserve and protect fish
and wildlife habitat
Public Benefit
Fulfills King County’s mission under the
Comprehensive Plan to preserve and
protect open space
Three elementary schools located within
two-mile radius of project site
Grand Ridge Trail provides easy access
for educational and scientific opportunities
Photos by Allan Bauer
Project Support
Financial Support
King County cash match of
77%
Community Support
Partnership for Rural King
County
Patterson Creek Citizen’s
Advisory Committee
Snoqualmie Watershed
Forum
Community members exploring Grand Ridge site
Conservation Futures
Citizen’s Advisory Committee
Cascade Land Conservancy
Public Access Opportunities
Seventy five acres will enhance
existing trail network
• Access to site provided
by adjacent seven-mile
Grand Ridge
Backcountry Trail
• Seventy five acres is
within view corridor of
trail
• Trail provides
opportunities for hiking,
biking & horseback riding
Grand Ridge Trail
Target parcels in proximity to Grand Ridge Trail
Proximate Population Pressures
Five-mile radius captures three cities. Populations as of 2005.
• Issaquah: 17,059
• Sammamish: 38,640
• Snoqualmie: 6,300
Grand Ridge –
Canyon Creek Acquisition
Photo by Allan Bauer in Grand Ridge area
Thank you!