HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2012-06-11 Item 2B - Interlocal Agreement - Open Space Acquisition Amendment with King CountyCity of Tukwila
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Haggerton
Community Affairs and Parks Committee
FROM: Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: June 6, 2012
SUBJECT: Duwamish Hill Preserve: King County Conservation Futures Interlocal
Agreement
ISSUE.
Duwamish Hill Preserve (DHP): Conservation Futures Interlocal Agreement
BACKGROUND
Conservation Futures Tax (CFT) levy funds are collected from property taxes levied throughout
King County and its cities for the purchase and permanent protection of open space lands. CFT
funds are allocated during the King County annual budget each November, based on an
application review process conducted by the King County Conservation Futures Citizens
Committee in the spring. Applicants must provide a minimum of dollar- for dollar matching funds
for all CFT funds received.
DISCUSSION
The City applied in 2011 for 2012 funding and has been authorized by the King County Council
and Executive to receive $250,000 towards acquisition of the west parcel (also referred to as
the White property) adjacent to Duwamish Hill Preserve. A King County ordinance is expected
to be passed by the end of June authorizing the King County Executive to sign the Conservation
Futures Interlocal Agreement for distribution of the CFT Funds. If the City accepts the funding a
match equal to the amount distributed ($250,000) is required.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the CFT Interlocal
Agreement and accept the $250,000 for acquisition of land adjacent to Duwamish Hill Preserve.
Funding for the City's $250,000 match has been allocated through the 2012 Capital
Improvement Projects Program, see page 46 of the CIP book. The Council is being asked to
consider this at the June 25, 2012 Committee of the Whole meeting and subsequent July 2,
2012 Regular Meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
Draft Amendment to the Conservation Futures Interlocal Cooperation Agreement (final
version expected by end of June)
King County Conservation Futures Tax Levy Committee recommendations report
h
x
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSERVATION FUTURES
INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN KING COUNTY AND THE CITY OF TUKWILA
FOR OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION PROJECTS
Preamble
The King County Council, through Ordinance 9128, has established a Conservation Futures
Levy Fund and appropriated proceeds to King County, the City of Seattle and certain suburban
cities. This amendment is entered into to provide for the allocation of additional funds made
available for open space acquisition.
THIS AMENDMENT is entered into between the CITY OF TUKWILA and KING COUNTY,
and amends and attaches to and is part thereof of the existing Interlocal Cooperation Agreement
entered into between the parties on the 25 t1i day of August, 1992, as previously amended.
The parties agree to the following amendments:
Amendment .1: Article 1. Recitals
A paragraph is hereby added to the Recitals Section to provide for a Conservation Futures Levy
Fund allocation for the Duwamish Hill Preserve Acquisition, and hereafter reads:
On November 9, 2011 the King County Council passed Ordinance 17232, which
appropriated a total of Two Hundred and Fifty ($250,000) in Conservation Futures Levy
proceeds to the City of Tukwila for the Duwamish Hill Preserve acquisition Project. On
2012 The King County Council passed Ordinance authorizing
the King County Executive to enter into interlocal agreements with the City of Tukwila
for the disbursement of Conservation Futures Funds appropriated in Ordinance 17232.
Amendment 2: Article V. Conditions of Agreement
Section 5.1 is amended to include Attachment G, which lists a 2012 Conservation
Futures Levy Allocation for the Duwamish Hill Preserve Acquisition project.
Amendment 3: Article VII. Responsibilities of Countv
The first two sentences of this article are amended to include references to Attachment G, which
lists a 2012 Conservation Futures Levy proceeds allocation for the Duwamish Hill Preserve
Acquisition Project:
Subject to the terms of this agreement, the County will provide Conservation
Futures Levy Funds in the amounts shown in Attachments A through G, to be
used for the Projects listed in Attachments A through G. The City may request
Amendment G
Annual CF "r Interlocal "I King County
2012 CFT proceeds
E
additional funds; however, the County has no obligation to provide funds to the
City for the Projects in excess of the total amounts shown in Attachments A
through G. The County assumes no obligation for the future support of the
Projects described herein except as expressly set forth in this agreement.
AMENDMENT 4: Attachment G
The Attachments to the interlocal agreement are hereby amended by adding Attachment G,
which is hereby attached to the interlocal agreement, incorporated therein and made a part
thereof.
In all other respects, the terms, conditions, duties and obligations of both parties shall remain the
same as agreed to in the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement as previously amended.
This document shall be attached to the existing Interlocal Cooperation Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, authorized representatives of the parties hereto have signed their
names in the spaces set forth below:
KING COUNTY
Ron Sims
King County Executive
CITY OF TUKWILA
Mayor
Date:
Acting under the authority of
Ordinance:
Approved as to form:
Dan Satterbeg
King County Prosecuting Attorney
Amendment G
Annual CFT Interlocal Tukwila- Kin.- County
2012 CFl proceeds
2
Date
Acting under the authority of
Ordinance:
Approved as to form:
City Attorney
10
ATTACHMENT G
2012 CONSERVATION FUTURES LEVY
CITY OF TUKWILA ALLOCATION
Jurisdiction Project Allocation
Tukwila Duwamish Hill Preserve 250,000
TOTAL
Project Description:
250,000
This is a 2 parcel, 1.9 acre open space acquisition project, located on South 115` Street near East
Marginal Way in Tukwila. The project will buffer the Duwamish Hill Preserve from adjacent
industrial and commercial uses.
City of Tukwila Duwamish Hill Preserve
Amendment G
Annual CPT Interlocal 'I ukwila- Kin.- County
2012 CPT proceeds
250,000
11
12
King County Conservation Futures Citizens Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ALLOCATION OF
2012 CONSERVATION FUTURES TAX LEVY COLLECTIONS
and 2012 PARKS EXPANSION LEVY OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION FUNDS
July 1, 2011
Brief Background
Conservation Futures Tax Levy
The Conservation Futures tax (CFT) levy is a portion of the property taxes collected throughout
King County, and is dedicated to the purchase of rural and urban open space. By Ordinance 14717, the CFT
Citizens Committee is directed to conduct an annual review of applications for CFT funds, and to make
recommendations to the King County Council and Executive on the expenditure of the funds. King County
then approves the project funding as part of King County's annual budget. CFT projects must have a dollar
for- dollar matching funds to help leverage the benefits of the program. There is an estimated $7,765,000 in
fiscal year 2012 CFT collections available for distribution.
King County Parks Expansion Levy
The King County Parks Expansion Levy (PEL) was approved by King County voters in August,
2007. By Motion 12587, the King County Council requested the Executive to effectively coordinate CFT
and PEL open space acquisition funding proposals. The CFT Citizens Committee makes a coordinated
annual recommendation on project funding from the two funding sources, and the Committee's
recommendation is included in this report. There is $4,376,377 in these PEL funds available in 2012.
Summary of the Committee's Review Process
This year, applications for CFT funds were sent to city and King County agencies in mid January,
with a deadline of March 17, 2011. In February, the Committee conducted a workshop at the Mercerview
Community Center on Mercer Island. The workshop goals were to help applicants learn about various
aspects of the program, including the review criteria, field trips, and the schedule for the process. King
County agencies, including the Parks Division and Water and Resource Land Division (WLRD) conducted
an internal review for selecting PEL applications for projects in unincorporated King County, and these were
then submitted to the Committee with the same deadline as the CFT applications. The CFT and PEL
applications often contain complementary goals of different King County agencies, for example, a proposed
project on the Snoqualmie River that would preserve agricultural land and improve salmon habitat. This year
there were 41 overall applications between the two funding sources, a record number. While King County
and the suburban cities submitted about the same number of applications as last year, Seattle expanded from
three large and more expensive projects last year to proposals for nine less- expensive projects this year.
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 201 1
13
In late March, 2011 the CFT and PEL applications were forwarded to the Citizens Committee, and
after their initial review, the Committee met to begin discussions of the applications. After the first meeting,
the Committee took field trips to the applicant sites on Saturdays and on Wednesday afternoons in April. The
applicants were encouraged to meet Committee members on the field trips to show the project sites,
summarize the purposes of the projects, and answer any questions of the Committee. After the field trips, the
Committee held two additional meetings in early May, 2011. in those meetings the Committee discussed
how the proposed open space acquisition projects meet the funding criteria, and they subsequently made
recommendations on how much funding should be allocated to each project. The Committee made its
funding recommendations based on a balance of project types, demographic equity needs, transaction
opportunities, and the threat of loss of the open space resources of the projects. The Committee also
considered the geographic range of the projects over time for both rural and urban CFT projects, and for the
unincorporated King County PEL projects.
2011 Recommendation Highlights:
Suburban City Projects:
Auburn is working to acquire a 9.2- acre property containing a 1.8 -acre lake in the West Hill community.
This acquisition will preserve a high- quality natural resource in a residential neighborhood that is
underserved with open space. Auburn plans to have a passive trail around the lake. The property is two
blocks from a school, making it a potential local resource for environmental education.
in Bellevue's Greenways and Open Space System, a 14 -acre woodland property is recommended for
funding that will double the size of Eastgate Park, which contains the South Bellevue Community
Center. Two other forested greenway properties are also recommended or funding. They provide access
from West Lake Sammamish Parkway to Weowna Park, and to public open space at 165` Avenue NE.
A 1.9 -acre property on the western side of Tukwila's Duwamish Hill Preserve is an important cultural
heritage site on the Green River for the Duwamish Tribe. It will be restored with native trees and
vegetation to provide a buffer between the park and industrial businesses to the west.
The City of Snoqualmie is pursuing an ambitious, visionary project to create a riverfront park along the
Snoquahnie River. The project is being done in combination with federal funds the city has received to
purchase and remove houses that flood regularly.
In Kent, two parcels on the Green River are recommended for funding. The first is an inholding near
Van Doren's Landing Park, and the second is located near the confluence of Mill Creek and the Green
River, which is undergoing an extensive ecological restoration effort that is a high priority for WRiA 9.
On Swamp Creek in northern King County, Kenmore is continuing its efforts to preserve and restore the
creek and its associated wetland on 73` Avenue NE. The wetland is part of the foraging habitat for the
north Lake Washington Heron colony located there.
Des Moines is working to purchase a wooded corridor that was acquired decades ago by the State of
Washington for a highway it no longer intends to build. The city wants to acquire to corridor for a trail
and to protect Barnes Creek, which runs through part of it.
Normandy Park's Beaconsfield -on -the -Sound has goals of protecting and restoring the natural functioning
of this important Puget Sound shoreline, and preserving a scenic bluff. The shoreline habitat is a critical part
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
14
of the salmon life cycle, and it supports numerous other marine aquatic species. The project also has a goal
of allowing public beach access to be extended northward from the city's Marine View Park.
Federal Way will acquire approximately 14 acres of fee simple and conservation easement lands to
conserve salmon habitat along Hylebos Creek near the Pacific Highway, north of SW 373' Street.
Seattle Projects:
In the Northeast Capitol Hill Hub Urban Village, two blocks east of Broadway on Federal Avenue,
Seattle is developing a neighborhood green space within the half of this urban village that is currently
not served by a park. Seattle recently purchased the property, and CFT funds are recommended to help
cover the acquisition costs. A community design process will help shape the design of the future park.
Seattle is purchasing a strategic 1.65 -acre wooded hillside inholding at Carkeek Park in northeast Seattle
to help better connect the two main areas of the park. This property is a main source of invasive weeds
into the 220 -acre park, and ownership control of it will have broad benefits.
in the underserved West Seattle neighborhood of Puget Ridge, a.67-acre property is proposed for
acquisition. Local residents will practice sustainable agriculture and restore a small segment of Puget
Creek, which flows into the Duwamish Waterway. The project is called the Puget Ridge Edible Park.
Seattle will purchase an inholding the Leschi Natural Area to link two sides of this local neighborhood
greenbelt, which has excellent views of Lake Washington, downtown Bellevue, and the Cascades.
In north Seattle, funding is recommended for two neighborhood parks in the University District and
Wedgewood residential neighborhoods, to help keep pace with ongoing residential density increases in
those communities.
A 4.15 -acre addition is proposed for the West Duwamish Greenbelt, a longstanding acquisition project in
West Seattle that is highly visible from downtown Seattle and Interstate 5. it also buffers the industrial
uses of the Duwamish Waterway from the residential neighborhood to the west.
Unincorporated King County Projects:
On the main stem of the Cedar River, a multiple parcel acquisition project with two main focus areas, one
near Jones Road and one near Taylor Creek, King County will acquire properties to relocate or remove
levees and to restore salmon habitat, important components of the WRIA 8 salmon recovery plan.
Funding is recommended for the acquisition of approximately 300 acres of forest land south of Carnation,
including fee simple property buffering the Griffin Creek Natural Area, and a conservation easement
adjacent to the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail. The easement component of the project will allow the
continuation of equestrian and hiking trails in a working forest that is actively managed for timber harvest.
in the Middle Green River basin, King County will preserve up to 160 acres of habitat lands to help
connect publicly -owned ecological lands near Bass Lake and Beaver Lake to public lands in the Green
River Gorge.
A missing link in the south King County Lake -to -Sound Regional Trail is recommended to receive CFT
funding. The project is located along the Black River adjacent Fort Dent Park. The securing of this trail
segment will complete the land acquisition phase of this regional trail project.
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 201 1
IV:
On the Snoqualmie River in Fall City, King County is recommended to receive funds to supplement CFT
and PEL funds allocated the project last year. The project will protect important Chinook salmon spawning
habitat and preserve agricultural land further away from the river. The project will enable widening of the
river channel by moving flood levees. This promotes the formation of new gravel bars that are necessary
for endangered Chinook spawning, but lost as a result of the river levee construction of past decades.
King County will acquire additional property and conservation easements on two areas of Bear Creek east
of Woodinville, as part of its efforts to buffer and extend existing salmon habitat areas on the creek.
PEL Funding is recommended for acquisition of a 20 -acre inholding property on Pinnacle Peak, a well
used hiking area south of Enumclaw that also contains critical winter habitat for the White River elk herd.
In the Interstate 90 /Mountains to Sound Greenway near Issaquah, King County is recommended to receive
funds for the Cougar Mountain Precipice trail project, which will connect Issaquah's city center to Cougar
Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Funds are also recommended to acquire and inholding parcel on Grand
Ridge Mitchell Hill, and possibly a trailhead for improved access to Mitchell Hill Forest.
King County's Agriculture Program will acquire a farmland preservation easement over a 39 -acre farm on
the Enumclaw Plateau, north of Enumclaw. The property is partially forested and is habitat for some of the
Enumclaw Plateau's raptor population.
The Point Heyer Drift Cell shoreline habitat protection project, a multiple -year, multiple- parcel acquisition
effort along a two mile shoreline eastern Vashon Island, has a goal of preserving an additional 16 acres this
year. This project will allow shoreline sand and gravel replenishment, which is critical for marine aquatic
habitat and is important portion in the life cycle for salmon from throughout Puget Sound.
King County's TDR Program is recommended to receive additional CFT funds for the TDR Urban
Partnerships project. This program offers open space funds as an incentive for cities to sign agreements to
accept development rights from important open space lands in unincorporated King County.
Themes from this year's recommendation
A large number of the projects this year are inholdings and buffers to existing open spaces and parks,
as well as trail links and trailheads that provide better public access to parks and open spaces. Many of the
projects place strong emphasis on habitat protection, particularly for salmon. These projects reinforce the
ecological sustainability of permanently protected public lands that are the core assets of our region's
venerable green infrastructure. The urban open space projects provide additional green spaces in underserved
neighborhoods in Seattle and the suburban cities. This makes our cities more livable by providing access to
nature closer to home, by providing green spaces that can offer a bit of respite from busy lives, and by
providing a setting for environmental education.
While there are fewer CFT finds available this year than last year, it is important that our region has
continued to make significant progress preserving open space during the recent economic downturn. We saw
good projects that needed more funding, but next year there should be additional CFT funds. The open spaces
that are being preserved provide a reminder that it is important to have funds available to take advantage of
real estate opportunities that occur during weaker economic times. Some of the projects funded in the past
two or three years have become available because of the broader economic weakness, while others have are
available due to the normal course of events whereby landowners need to sell their properties. Both situations
require funds to take advantage of the once -in -a- generation opportunities that can arise, and we commend
King County for its long -term vision and commitment to this important work.
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation —July 1, 2011
16
Funds Funds
ApnlvinLY Jurisdiction Proiect Requested Recommended
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDIVIDIUAL PROJECTS:
SUBURBAN CITIES
Auburn West Hill Lake Property 386,000 350,000
Recommendation: The goal of this project is to purchase two parcels totaling 9.2 acres that
surround a 1.8 -acre lake in the West Hill neighborhood of Auburn. The project is located near the
intersection of 321' Street South and 53th Avenue South. It will enhance and maintain unique wildlife
habitat in a residential neighborhood, and allow for interpretive and educational opportunities in the
newly annexed West Hill portion of Auburn. There are no nearby public parks in this Auburn
neighborhood. The lake was recognized almost 20 years ago for the quality of its urban wildlife species,
as part of a special assessment of wildlife in Auburn. The proposed park will allow for the development
of a trail for passive use recreation. The property is listed for sale and the seller is working with Auburn
towards reaching a mutually- agreeable transaction.
Bellevue Bellevue Greenways and Open Space System 2,157,850 750,000
Recommendation: This project is a continuation of a multiple parcel, multiple -year open space
acquisition effort. The overall goal of the project is to connect and buffer Bellevue's Open Space and
Greenways System with the acquisition of high- priority properties as they become available over time.
This year the Committee recommends as a first priority the funding of three properties; the first is a 14-
acre property adjacent to Eastgate Park; the second is a 1.43 acre property to provide access to Wewona
Park from West Lake Sammamish Parkway; and the third is a 13 acre property adjacent to open space
near 166` Avenue NE. The 14 -acre property adjacent to Eastgate Park will almost double the size of
that park. It is located south of Interstate 90 and contains the popular South Bellevue Community
Center within its boundaries. The property is forested and has an existing woodland trail that connects
pedestrians to the nearby community. The second of the priority properties is forested and contains a
trail corridor that will connect Wewona Park to West Lake Sammamish Parkway. The third property is
also located on West Lake Sammamish Parkway and will provide access from the Parkway to public
open space at 165` Avenue NE. Bellevue is working with the property owners within the respective
areas to reach purchase and sale agreements.
Bellevue Bel -Red Area Subvision 1,100,000 0
Recommendation: This is a long -term multiple- parcel project in Bellevue within the area
known as the Bel -Red Corridor. The project's geographic area is between the Bellevue Redmond Road
and State Route 520, east of Interstate 405. This project was funded two years ago with CFT funds, and
property was acquired with those funds. There are currently no specific properties identified for
acquisition in this year's application, but Bellevue is instead seeking funding for future opportunities.
The basic premise for this application is that before CFT funds would be dispersed to Bellevue, the city
would need to propose a final site location to the Conservation Futures Citizens Committee, which
would then make a recommendation to King County for final approval. While the Committee thinks
this is an important long -term project for Bellevue and the region, given that there is less available CFT
funding this year, it is more strategic to use 2012 CFT funding for properties described above in the
Bellevue Greenways and Open Space System that are currently available and have willing sellers.
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
17
Funds Funds
Anplvin2.Jurisdiction Protect Requested Recommended
Des Moines Barnes Creek Corridor 500,000 50,000
Recommendation: This is a proposed trail corridor and urban greenbelt acquisition of up to 25
acres. it is a wooded corridor that is partly in a ravine, and it was acquired decades ago for a highway
corridor by the State of Washington Department of Transportation (State DOT). That agency no longer
wished to construct the highway so the land is being readied for disposition as surplus property. The
greenbelt is located between South 220 Street and the Kent -Des Moines Road in Des Moines. The
portion of the corridor being proposed for funding with CFT funds is approximately 2/3 mile in length.
This is a densely populated urban area in south King County that is underserved with open space and
trails. The corridor buffers Barnes Creek, a tributary in the Massey Creek system. Des Moines has been
seeking county, state and federal funds to help improve fish passage and restore habitat in Barnes
Creek, and this proposed acquisition will also help preserve creek habitat. The proposed trail in the
corridor is identified in Des Moines's 2010 parks master plan as part of a larger trail system in the city.
There are some significant unresolved variables regarding the amount of property Des Moines will
ultimately acquire, as well as the economic value of that property. When State DOT acquired the
property, it had mapped city streets on it, so the economic value of the streets may need to be deducted
from the overall value of the property. it may also be that the some of the trail corridor can be routed on
portions of those street rights -of -way. These issues need to be addressed as part of the appraisal process
to inform subsequent negotiations with State DOT. Des Moines has not often applied for and received
CFT funds in recent years, however, this project received CFT funding in the amount of $472,000 last
year. The Committee recommends adding a modest level of CFT funds this year to bring the overall
project to over half a million dollars in CFT funds. This demonstrates continued support for the project
to the State, and this property should therefore not be immediately threatened with sale to an outside
party. Des Moines should consider applying for future CPT funds when the trail route and valuation
issues have better resolution and the acquisition costs are identified.
Federal Wav Hylebos Creek 400,000 300,000
Recommendation: This multiple- parcel project has a goal of preserving salmonid habitat in the
Hylebos Creek Corridor in Federal Way. The city has been working to preserve lands along the creek
for two decades. This year, there is a first priority of up to 14 acres of fee simple or conservation
easement habitat lands within the current Hylebos Creek CFT project scope, and in addition, one
additional fee acquisition property and three conservation easement properties should be added to the
scope. The project area is located on Hylebos Creek in Federal Way between South 373' Street and
South 356 Street near the Pacific Highway. The properties are inholdings in the Hylebos Creek
corridor, with five parcels in the Spring Valley area and three more located east of the Pacific Highway.
Federal Way has matching funds in hand and it has had preliminary discussions with the property
owners, who are willing sellers subject to the results of appraisals that will be conducted. Last year,
Federal Way lost significant CFT funds when it had to abandon the Camp Kilworth property on Puget
Sound, after a court ruling nullified the sale. The ruling was the result of a claim by heirs of the camp's
donor, who had given it to the Bay Scouts of America several decades ago.
Issaquah Issaquah Creek Waterways 500,000 100,000
Recommendation: For two decades, Issaquah has been acquiring riparian habitat on Issaquah
Creek within the city boundaries. The city has had much success and it has recently purchased
additional parcels this past year with local park bond funds. There are six target parcels along Issaquah
Creek in this year's application for CFT funds. The creek is habitat for salmon migrating to the State
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation —July 1, 2011
I:
Funds Funds
Applvina Jurisdiction Project Requested Recommended
hatchery, and eventually there will be fish access to habitat upstream beyond the hatchery when a
bypass is developed in the future. Issaquah has significant match credit for acquisitions it has conducted
in the past two years. A public opinion survey conducted for Issaquah's 2009 Parks Plan determined
that 76% of city residents feel that protection of Issaquah Creek's natural resources is a high priority for
the city. This acquisition work complements habitat acquisition being done upstream in unincorporated
King County by the King County Water and Resource Lands Division (WLRD). There is currently one
owner who has expressed interest in discussing sale of the property, but those negotiations have further
to go. The owners of the other parcels have not expressed interest in selling to date. This project
received $300,000 in CFT funds last year and the Cougar Mountain Precipice trail project, which will
connects downtown Issaquah to Cougar Mountain, has also received significant CFT funds in recent
years. The funding recommended for this year will help meet the remaining funding shortfall for the
parcel with an identified willing seller.
Kenmore Swamp Creek 324,207 300,000
Recommendation: This project consists of the acquisition of up to two parcels totaling .63
acres on Swamp Creek, located on 73 Avenue NE near NE 192 Street in Kenmore. The properties
contain portions of Swamp Creek and its associated wetlands. The parcels are located near the Kenmore
heronry and provide feeding habitat for nesting Great Blue Heron. This portion of Swamp Creek is a
local greenway along 73` Avenue North, an arterial road in Kenmore. The Kenmore Parks and
Recreation Master Plan identifies this area as a central element of the plan, including a passive trail
through the corridor that will connect to the Tolt Pipeline Regional Trail. The trail will offer
environmental education opportunities for nearby schools, as well as local residents who wish to view
Great Blue Heron and other wildlife. Kenmore has recently purchased one of the properties identified in
the application, located at NE 192n Street and 73` Avenue North, and this allocation would reimburse
a portion of that acquisition. Kenmore does have matching funds for this recommended allocation.
Kenmore acquired a property in this area last year with 2011 CFT funds, but overall it has not applied
for or received significant CFT funds over the past several years. This allocation will help Kenmore
acquire both properties in the application and will help move this vision forward in the coming year.
Kent Green River Parcel 256,650 150,000
Recommendation: This project consists of the acquisition of two properties totaling 3.9 acres,
with frontage on the Green River. The goal of the project is to restore habitat on the properties after
acquisition. The first parcel is located on Russell Road at South 220` Street. It is .7 acres in size and is
adjacent to the Green River Regional Trail on Russell Road near Van Doren's Landing Park. The
second parcel is located at State Route 167 and South 259' Street. It is 3.3 acres and is located across
from Kent's Riverview Park, which contains a segment of the Green River Trail. The second parcel is
located about three miles south of the first parcel, just downriver from the confluence of Mill Creek and
the Green River. This confluence area is important for migrating salmon and steelhead as a refuge
during winter flooding, and it has been planned for habitat restoration for over a decade. This second
parcel has a house, which would be removed as part of the broader restoration effort. Both parcels are
listed as an acquisition target in the WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Plan, and the second parcel is also
identified for acquisition in the City of Kent Drainage Master Plan. Kent has had preliminary contact
with the owners of the parcels, but it does not have firm commitments on their willingness to sell at this
point. This status warrants providing funding for one of the parcels, given the amount of available CFT
funds this year. The Kent Parks Department currently has over $1 million in unexpended CFT funds for
the Clark Lake and Patchen Property projects, which Kent continues to pursue this year.
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 201 1
19
Funds Funds
ApnlvinL- Jurisdiction Project Requested Recommended
Normandv Park Beaconsfield Feeder Bluff 1,275,750 300,000
Recommendation: This is a multiple -year shoreline acquisition project with many parcels. it
has multiple goals, including preserving wooded Puget Sound shoreline wildlife habitat, providing
natural gravel replenishment for Puget Sound shoreline that is important habitat for part of the salmon
life cycle and for many marine aquatic species, providing additional public Puget Sound shoreline
access from Marine View Park, and protecting a scenic resource on Puget Sound. This is a rare,
relatively undeveloped shoreline bluff for mainland central Puget Sound and the project area has the
potential to allow improved gravel replenishment function that would provide critical habitat in the life
cycle of endangered salmon from rivers up and down the Sound. If feasible, cement bulkheads and rock
walls that that currently prevent sand and gravel from reaching the beach may be removed, at least in
part, to allow for greater sand and gravel replenishment of the beach and intertidal zone. This project is
a high priority project for WRIA 9, but it also serves the other Puget Sound WRIAs. For this reason the
project is of regional importance. The project progress has been good to date. The Cascade Land
Conservancy has served as the acquisition agent and has acquired 16 narrow, linear parcels referred to
collectively as the "piano keys Normandy Park is now expanding the project beyond those parcels to
acquire additional property that connects to Marine View Park and also further uphill, since in the
longer term those parcels would supply sand and gravel to the lower properties. An uphill property
owner opposes the removal of the sea wall down below, claiming easement rights to the sea wall and
concerned that such removal could impact the uphill properties. In its March, 2011 annual report on
project progress, the Committee recommended re- allocating $563,000 from Normandy Park's
abandoned Walker Creek Preserve Addition CFT project to this project.
Snoqualmie Snoqualmie Riverfront Reach 1,636,000 400,000
Recommendation: The city of Snoqualmie has been pursuing this ambitious, multi- parcel open
space acquisition project for several years. The project has a visionary goal of protecting riverfront
habitat and creating a shoreline park on over one mile of Snoqualmie River riverfront in the city. Much
of this riverfront is already in city ownership as park land. Some of the remaining properties contain
houses that often flood, and Snoqualmie has been able to obtain FEMA flood buyout funds to purchase
some of them, including a mobile home park. Some of the properties are vacant and are not eligible for
FEMA grants, while others are not as significantly impacted by flooding and therefore are also not
FEMA- eligible. In the past year Snoqualmie has expended over one million dollars in FEMA funds,
which meet the CFT matching fund requirements this year, but they will exceed the two -year
retroactive eligibility requirement by next year's application round. Snoqualmie currently has 5 top
priority parcels, with three that are ready to go, and those parcels are estimated to cost over $400,000.
The Committee's recommended allocation will cover most of those anticipated costs for three
properties, and if it so chooses the city can make up any remaining shortfall. Except for two grants
totaling $125,000 in recent years, Snoqualmie has not received significant CFT funds in the past
decade, and this grant will therefore help move this important project forward.
Tukwila Duwamish Hill Preserve Addition 500,000 250,000
Recommendation: This 2- parcel, 1.9 -acre open space acquisition project is located on South
115"' Street, near East Marginal Way in Tukwila. The purpose of the acquisition is to establish a buffer
between the 8 -acre Duwamish Hill Preserve and adjacent industrial and commercial uses. The Preserve
is on a small hill overlooking the Green River, just south of the Seattle border, near Boeing Field and
interstate 5. The Preserve has important regional cultural significance. it was a sacred site for the
Duwamish Tribe, and it s about a half mile upriver from the culturally important North Wind Weir site.
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
ApplvinLy Jurisdiction Project
Funds Funds
Requested Recommended
The Duwamish Hill Preserve offers scenic views along the Green River and also southward towards
Tukwila. The proposed acquisition is identified in the city's adopted Parks Master Plan. The main
parcel in this application is a flat piece of open land adjacent to the preserve that is currently being used
to store cranes and other industrial equipment. A schematic plan for the future Preserve shows how this
property could be re- planted with trees to visually buffer the preserve from the industrial area to the
west. This buffer would add to the quality of the experience of the open space. In the past five years,
Tukwila has done an admirable job overseeing restoration of the site, with the help of many dedicated
volunteers. A second, smaller parcel between 1 15` South and the Green River is also included in the
application. it is a narrow strip of land between the road and the river, with about 800 feet of riverbank.
It might be possible to restore and improve riparian habitat on the river, including moving the road
further way from the river some time off into the future. Tukwila has $512,000 in local matching funds
for this phase. It is also seeking grants from the State of Washington and King Conservation District.
There is more appraisal work to do to determine the property value. Tukwila has not applied for or
received significant CFT funds in recent years. The recommended contribution to this project by CFT is
a reasonable level, given the level of information currently available about the property value.
Woodinville Little Bear Creek 200,000 0
ReCOlnmendation: This proposed project would acquire approximately .25 acres of land
adjacent to Little Bear Creek and State Route 509, at 134` Avenue NE in Woodinville. The property is
currently an unpaved parking lot and small building serving a local towing business, incongruously
situated within an undeveloped, wooded creek corridor. If business moved Woodinville could remove
the road and the bridge crossing, which would help to restore the site as riparian habitat for salmonid
species, including endangered Chinook, Coho, Sockeye and Kokanee that are resident in the creek. The
property is surrounded by publicly -owned land, and it is also part of a planned trail between the
Sammamish Slough and the Snohomish County line. The trail would pass by Woodinville High School,
which is about one mile away. State of Washington DOT owns the adjacent parcel to the southwest, and
Woodinville also owns adjacent open space on Little Bear Creek. The city has long -term plans to
acquire more land in the creek corridor. There are significant unknown factors with this project related
to the range of potential cost of acquisition. In the application, Woodinville identifies a significant
portion of the potential acquisition costs as high relocation costs for the business, which may be
excessive. The business is an older one and it is a non- conforming use under current zoning regulations,
and moving it to a property where it is a conforming use would likely be expensive, and such costs are
not typically covered by CFT. There is a low threat of loss of this property, since the property is not
listed for sale. The Committee recommends that given the reduced amount of CFT funds available this
year, this project should be revisited after Woodinville has more accurately identified the costs and
better determined the willingness of the owner to sell the property within a price range.
SEATTLE
Seattle Northeast Capitol Hill Urban Center Park $1,000,000 855,000
Recommendation: This project consists of the acquisition of 2 parcels totaling .28 acres at
Federal Avenue East and East Republican Street in Seattle's Capitol Hill Neighborhood. The project
will provide additional community open space in this underserved neighborhood. Seattle's successful
2008 Parks and Green Spaces levy identified 20 high- density urban villages throughout the city in
which over half of the urban village was not served by a local neighborhood park. Seattle Parks and
Recreation's 2006 Gap Report specifies that Capitol Hill near Broadway was one of those
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
21
Funds Funds
Armlving Jurisdiction Project Requested Recommended
neighborhoods, and this neighborhood park will provide a local neighborhood green space that serves
pedestrians from nearby city blocks. This is a street corner vacant property where three houses were
demolished by a developer two years ago. The owner was not able to develop the site because of factors
related to the recent economic recession, and Seattle purchased it in 2010, making this a reimbursement
request. There is strong community support for this park and Seattle has begun a neighborhood design
process. In the interim, there may be P -Patch use on some of the property until the final master plan is
developed and implemented. This park will serve a large number of visitors on a regular basis, as this
mixed -use neighborhood continues to accept a significant share of regional growth in the coming years.
Seattle University District Urban Center Park $500,000 500,000
Recommendation: The goal of this project is to acquire a new neighborhood park south of 45"'
Street in the designated University District Urban Village in Seattle. Seattle is identifying parcels with
willing sellers and is also working with developers on projects that would combine open space with
compatible land uses. There are currently two top priorities under the University District Park Plan
(2005), which was conducted with much public process. The sites are two residential lots south of
Christie Park at 9 °i Avenue and NE 43' Street, and a potential pocket park site on Brooklyn Avenue
NE. The final site will be determined through a community planning process. This urban village is
highly populated and is receiving additional density, yet it does not currently meet Seattle's urban
village open space goals of one acre per 1000 residents. This project should be funded with the
contingency that before CFT funds are dispersed to Seattle for the project, Seattle will identify the final
site location to the Conservation Futures Citizens Committee, which will make a recommendation to
King County, before King County grants final site approval.
Seattle Wedgewood Neighborhood Park $500,000 500,000
Recommendation: The goal of this project is to acquire a .33 -acre community park in Seattle's
Wedgewood neighborhood. The property, located on 35 Avenue at NE 86 °i Street, is a former Seattle
City Light substation. The Wedgewood neighborhood is on the list developed for the city's 2008 Parks
and Green Spaces Levy that identified Seattle neighborhoods with over half of the neighborhood not
served by a neighborhood park. The local community canvassed the neighborhood and picked this site
as the best place for a local community green space. The Wedgewood Vision Plan also identifies the
need for a new park, and it identifies the City Light property as a potential park site. This project
continues Seattle's strong track record of acquiring close -to -home green spaces within residential
neighborhoods to help preserve daily quality of life in the city.
Seattle Thornton Creek Park 2 Addition $50,000 0
Recommendation: This project has a goal of preserving a.31 acre vacant property in Thornton
Creek Park 4 2 at NE 98 Street AT 20 Avenue NE, in northern Seattle. The property is mostly a
steep hillside, and part of it recently slumped during some of the high rainfall Seattle experienced this
past winter. This property would add additional land to help buffer the natural resources of park and it
offers potential for planting trees and native vegetation to help restore habitat near the creek. Because of
the unstable slope, this property is not under great threat of development in the near term. While this
property would make a good addition to Thornton Creek Park system, given the reduced level of CFT
available this year, this site is a lower priority for funding and can likely be revisited for consideration
in a future funding round. Seattle may use other funds for this purchase and would be eligible to re-
submit another CFT application in the future to seek reimbursement.
10
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
22
Funds Funds
ADDIvinu Jurisdiction Protect Requested Recommended
Seattle Thornton Creek Natural Area (Ravenna Avenue) $205,000 0
Recommendation: The goal of this project is to add a strategic parcel to the Thornton Creek
Natural Area near Ravenna Avenue and North 100 °i Street in northern Seattle. Thornton Creek is a
salmon- bearing stream that Seattle has been working to protect since the Forward Thrust Program of
the 1970s. This parcel is adjacent to property where Seattle Public Utilities has stabilized the bed of the
creek to protect it from extreme storm water flows that damage creek habitat and natural resources. The
property identified in this application contains a house, and the owner is willing to consider selling it.
Seattle sees this property as a lower priority with les urgency, relative to some of the other CFT
applications for this year. Given that there is a lower level of available CFT funding than last year, the
Committee recommends that this project could funded with other city funds, or could wait to be funded
with CFT funding at a future point in time.
Seattle Carkeek Park Addition $155,000 155,000
Recommendation: This project will acquire an important 1.65 -acre wooded inholding on the
edge of Carkeek Park along Carkeek Park Road in Northwest Seattle. Acquisition of the property will
also buffer Pipers Creek and the Pipers Creek Trail. The property is located at a connection point
between two main areas of the park that has a shape resembling a bow -tie, and this acquisition will help
connect the two areas. The site is located on a hillside immediately below the entrance road into the
park. Development of the parcel would be difficult, but if done it would be highly intrusive to the park.
The property has invasive vines and plant species, and the site has been identified as the main source of
invasive species into Carkeek Park. Seattle would like to restore the property with native vegetation,
and its ownership of the property will help with long -term resource land management in the park.
Acquisition of this parcel has been a long -term priority of Seattle, and the Carkeek Park Advisory
Council. It has had a long -term owner who is now interested in selling it, and who would like it to
become an addition to the park. This is a timely acquisition opportunity for this property, and Seattle
wishes to take advantage of it while there is available local funding.
Seattle West Duwamish Greenbelt $180,000 180,000
Recommendation: This project consists of the acquisition of a 4.14 -acre wooded addition to the
West Duwamish Greenbelt, which is Seattle's largest greenbelt. It is located along West Marginal Way
in West Seattle, on the west side of the Duwamish Waterway. The acquisition of this property is a
continuation of Seattle's long -term efforts to preserve this highly visible scenic greenbelt, which buffers
and separates the residential neighborhood uphill to the west, from the industrial and trucking activities
located along this portion of the waterway. The greenbelt is home to upland wildlife and avian species
that are found in urban areas, including perching areas for Eagles that catch fish in the Duwamish.
Acquisition of the property will help connect a significant portion of the wildlife corridor between
publicly -owned parts of the Greenbelt. Seattle has been trying to acquire this property for over 15 years,
but, it was unable to reach an agreement with the prior owner. The current owner has expressed
willingness to sell the property, contingent on reaching an acceptable price.
Seattle Leschi Natural Area
$205,000 205,000
Recommendation: This project includes acquisition of a .17 -acre wooded property that is an
inholding in the Leschi Natural Area, located on East Terrace Street in the Leschi neighborhood of
Seattle. This addition will connect two halves of the Leschi Natural Area. The Natural Area has
outstanding views of Lake Washington, Bellevue, and the Cascade Mountains beyond. This smaller,
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
23
M)DIving Jurisdiction Proiect
Funds Funds
Requested Recommended
community -scale greenbelt has significant local volunteer stewardship to help maintain the quality of
the greenbelt. Seattle has worked with the Leschi Community Council to preserve and steward the
properties in the greenbelt for over 10 years, and the city will continue to work with the neighborhood
in the future. Seattle has been interested in acquiring the property for over a decade to link the two
halves of the natural area. The property owner has approached Seattle and is willing to sell the property,
which has a house that will need to be removed. This property was identified as an acquisition
candidate as far back as the 1993 Seattle Green Spaces Policy, and in the Seattle Park and Recreation
COM PLAN 2000.
Seattle Puget Ridge Edible Park $105,000 105,000
Recommendation: This project will provide a new .67 -acre park in West Seattle's Puget Ridge
neighborhood, which is underserved with open space. The project will allow for sustainable agriculture
activities and for habitat improvement along Puget Creek, which flows across the western side of the
property. The park was nominated by a local community group called Sustainable Puget Ridge under
the Parks and Green Spaces Levy's Opportunity Fund. The Seattle Parks Levy Oversight Committee
conducted an extensive project selection process for the Opportunity Fund, and this was one of projects
chosen. There is a small house on the property that will be removed. The property is currently for sale,
presenting a timely opportunity to acquire it. The combination of potential creek restoration,
community farming, community gathering place, and environmental and agricultural education, will
make this a unique small -scale community open space resource.
KING COUNTY
KinE Countv Regional TDR Partnerships CFT: 400,000 250,000
Parks Levy: 0 0
Recommendation: This is a programmatic, non site specific project that provides funding for
open space acquisition in cities, as an incentive for those cities to accept rural development rights under
King County's Transferable Development Rights (TDR) Program. Before the TDR amenity funds are
allocated to a city, the city must first enter into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with King County that
allows TDR credit transfers to occur. Of King County's 39 cities, three are currently enrolled in a TDR
ILA (Issaquah, Bellevue and Sammamish), while the TDR Program is currently in the process of
developing and negotiating TDR ILAs with four more cities. Those include Seattle and Normandy Park
in 2011 and Kirkland and Redmond in 2012. The Bellevue TDR ILA has the potential to protect
between 1,000 and 3,000 acres of rural lands. The Sammamish TDR ILA allows up to 75 TDR credits
from the Patterson Creek area to be transferred into the city, which could preserve about 750 acres of
important natural resource lands near Sammamish. If fully successful, over a period of years these
agreements have the potential to preserve three to four times as much rural open space land than the
same amount of CFT funds would protect if expended directly on easement acquisitions. The Bellevue
TDR ILA included $750,000 in CFT amenity funding, while the Sammamish TDR ILA will use
$375,000 in CFT funds. While those ILAs have been funded, there is not currently enough amenity
incentive funding available to support all of the remaining agreements the TDR Program is currently
pursuing. The Committee did recommend allocating $135,000 to this project from other abandoned
CFT projects earlier this year, and combined with an allocation of $250,000 from 2012 CFT funds, the
project will have received $385,000 in additional CFT funds, almost fully funding this project.
12
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation —July 1, 2011
24
Funds Funds
Atpplvin2 Jurisdiction Proiect Requested Recommended
Snoqualmie Watershed
King Countv Grand Ridge Duthie Hill Inholding CFT: 200,000 0
Parks Levy: 200,000 0
RecOmmendation: This project would acquire a 5 -acre inholding within the corridor that links
Grand Ridge Park and Duthie Hill Park. The property is located in unincorporated King County, east of
Issaquah, and north of Interstate 90 on the Issaquah -Fall City Road. The property is adjacent to another
similarly -sized inholding parcel that King County is also attempting to acquire with other funds,
although the success of those negotiations is uncertain. King County Parks is considering alternatives
for locating a parking lot in the southern side of the park, though not on this property. If the parking lot
is sited nearby, this property could serve as a buffer to the parking lot. The property owner has been
difficult to contact, but has expressed an interest in negotiating with King County if funds can be
secured. The Committee recognizes that this property is an important inholding In the Grand Ridge
Mitchell Hill corridor and that it should be acquired in the future, but given the overall level of
available funds this year, this acquisition should wait another year. The trailhead site on Mitchell Hill
discussed below is a more important acquisition priority for this funding round, given that it is currently
listed for sale and will likely be sold if it is not funded this year.
Kin! Countv Grand Ridge Mitchell Hill Additions CFT: 300,000 300,000
Parks Levy: 650,000 340,000
Recommendation: This project has a goal of acquiring up to 11 acres, comprised of two main
components; an approximately 2 -acre trailhead that would serve as an eastern entrance to Grand Ridge
Park at 290 i Avenue SE, and the acquisition of an 8.5 -acre inholding in King County's Mitchell Hill
Forest off of 290` Avenue SE. The properties are located east of Issaquah, and north of Interstate 90.
The first priority is the trailhead property, situated immediately adjacent to the start of the trail at 290`
Street NE. There are large trees that can buffer a small parking area from the road and from neighbors.
290` Avenue SE becomes a private road as it turns the corner to the east from this property, and if
purchased, King County would need to provide adequate signage warning of the end of the public road.
The second component of this application, the eight -acre Mitchell Hill Forest inholding, is a second
priority of this project. Project funds not expended for the trailhead property should be used to purchase
this inholding property. The property is adjacent to an inholding that was purchased earlier this year,
and this allocation would allow work in this area to continue to move forward.
King Countv Snoqualmie -Fall City Reach CFT: 300,000 200,000
Parks Levy: 300,000 300,000
Recommendation: This is a 52 -acre acquisition project with twin goals of restoring critical
salmon habitat on the Snoqualmie River near Fall City, while preserving agricultural land on the
property further off the river. The project is located on the north side of the SE Fall City Snoqualmie
Road in Fall City. The project will help improve salmon habitat by removing or setting -back river
levees, and by re- connecting a river side channel that is important habitat in part of the salmon life
cycle. The reach has been identified in the WRIA 7 salmon recovery plan as a high priority property for
acquisition and restoration, based on the historic side channels on the site. King County is currently
undertaking an assessment of the Snoqualmie River from the mouth of the Raging River to the mouth
of Patterson Creek, which is one of King County's most important areas for Chinook and steelhead
spawning habitat in a study is funded by the State of Washington SRFB. It is finding that this reach has
been heavily armored by levees, with approximately 70% of the left bank and 55% of the right bank
being impacted. This armoring narrows the river channel and greatly reduces or eliminates the gravel
13
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
25
Funds Funds
Applving Jurisdiction Project Requested Recommended
bars necessary for fish spawning. A portion of the 52 -acre property is farmland and King County
WLRD is currently working to determine the best mix of farmland preservation and salmon habitat on
the site. This project will help King County achieve the Snohomish River Basin Salmon Conservation
Plan goal of restoring 80 acres of off channel habitat and 5 miles of edge habitat in this priority reach.
The project has previously received $300,000 CFT and $350,000 in Parks Levy funding, in addition to
$200,000 in King County Flood District funding. The recommended allocation should provide
sufficient funds to complete this first acquisition in the reach.
King Countv Snoqualmie Forest Addition CFT: 750,000 100,000
Parks Levy: 750,000 600,000
Recommendation: This project has a goal of preserving forest land adjacent to the Snoqualmie
Valley Regional Trail between Carnation and Snoqualmie. The project has two main focus areas. The
first area is about 300 acres and is adjacent to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail and the Griffin Creek
Natural Area. The second focus area is comprised of about 200 acres northeast of the former
Weyerhaeuser Mill site in Snoqualmie, also on the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail. Both focus areas
form part of a scenic corridor adjacent to the trail itself, and also a territorial view for residents and
visitors to the Snoqualmie Valley. The northernmost focus area is the King County Parks Division's
first priority for funding. It is second growth forest, some of which has been recently logged, and it
contains several informal hiking, off -road bicycling, and equestrian trails. Part of the project area
buffers the 50 -acre Griffin Creek Natural Area, a high quality salmonid stream that was first selected as
one of six pilot project streams that were protected under the Waterways 2000 program in the 1990s.
King County would acquire about 50 acres of fee simple property buffering Griffin Creek. The other
component of this project area is to acquire a conservation easement adjacent to the Snoqualmie Valley
Trail to buffer the regional trail, protect existing trails on the property. There is currently a party that is
interested in buying the property containing the overall first focus area for commercial forestry. This
potential buyer is willing to work with King County to sell the County the Griffin Creek buffer, and to
develop a mutually- acceptable conservation easement that will buffer the Snoqualmie Valley Trail,
preserve some of the existing recreational side trails, and at the same time allow for sustainable harvest
forestry activities. For the second, more southerly focus area near Snoqualmie, the property is not
currently on the market and the project goals are less developed, but it seems they would generally
buffer the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail and allow for forestry activity as well. Given the financial
constraints, the Committee recommends funding only the northernmost focus area with this year's
funding, while encouraging the Parks Division to more fully develop the proposal for funding the 200
acre southern focus area in a future application.
King Countv Three Forks Natural Area /Park Addition CFT: 200,000 200,000
Parks Levy: 200,000 200,000
Recommendation: This project consists of the acquisition of a 21.53 acre addition to King
County's Three Forks Natural Area, located west of 428` Avenue SE, near Snoqualmie. The property is
located at the confluence of the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, adjacent to King
County's Three Forks Natural Area. It is a regionally significant site. King County currently owns a
habitat buffer easement along each bank of the river on the property. The easement was acquired under
the voter approved 1989 Open Space Bond Program from an owner who wished to remain on the
property, but who has recently passed away. This property has an outstanding view of Mount Si, which
will make it a unique destination for visitors from throughout King County. This project will fully
acquire the remaining property at the river confluence and would allow public significantly improved
access for enjoyment of the river. The former property owner's estate is a willing seller to the King
14
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
W
Funds Funds
ADDIvine Jurisdiction Proiect Requested Recommended
County Parks Division. A portion of the property is currently leased for grazing a small herd of cattle,
which helps control invasive plant species, and this use should be allowed to continue in the period
after acquisition while a site plan is developed. This is a special property that should be fully funded to
help ensure that it will be added to Three Forks Park.
KinL Countv Tolt River Natural Area CFT: 510,000 0
Parks Levy: 510,000 400,000
Recommendation: This is a multiple- parcel salmon habitat acquisition project that has been
funded periodically in the past several years with CFT and PEL funds. This year there are five target
parcels totaling up to 16 acres. The project will allow for the restoration of critical riparian and
floodplain habitat between the Tolt River and Tolt River Road, east of Carnation. The lower Tolt River,
between miles one and six on the river, is one of the highest priority salmonid preservation areas in
King County. The river hosts Chinook, chum, Coho, and pink salmon, along with steelhead and bull
trout. Approximately 20% of the Snoqualmie basin component of the Snohomish Fall Chinook stock
spawns in the Tolt River. The major risk to fish in this river is homes that require levees for protection
from regular flooding along the river. The levees severely restrict salmon spawning habitat. This project
will either purchase vacant parcels to prevent them from being developed, or parcels with houses that
are in danger of flooding and need to be removed. King County WLRD works in partnership with the
King County Flood District, which uses either local funding or Federal Emergency Management Act
(FEMA) funding to purchase properties with homes that need to be removed and are prioritized under
that agency's Flood Hazard Management Plan. The Tolt River provides opportunities for passive
recreation and recreational sport fishing, and this project will directly support such activity.
Cedar /Lake Washington Watershed
KinL Countv Bear Creek Waterways CFT: 275,000 125,000
Parks Levy: 275,000 250,000
Recommendation: This project has a goal of acquiring streamside property that will allow for
restoration of critical salmon habitat on Bear Creek, north of Redmond. There are two acquisition
priorities; one is a 10 -acre, two parcel property at NE 106' Street and Avondale Road at the confluence
of Mackey Creek, and the second is a property located on Bear Creek Road NE at NE 142 Street. The
owners of both properties have expressed a willingness to work with King County towards selling their
properties in fee simple ownership, or conservation easements. The property at the confluence of
Mackey Creek abuts the line between urban and rural zoning, and thus it serves to reinforce urban and
rural land use separation. The main stem of Bear Creek on this property is good salmon habitat, with
fallen trees and gravel bed forming pools that are necessary for supporting fish. Mackey Creek has been
channeled and armored by the owners to help control flooding of the house that stands just a few feet
away from the confluence. If acquired by King County, the creek habitat could be greatly restored and
the creek allowed to flow more freely at the confluence. The small house is about a century old and can
potentially be moved somewhere nearby. The property on Bear Creek Road has a willing seller, but King
County needs additional funds to purchase it. This property would add to other recently funded adjacent
properties, one of which King County has purchased, and one currently under negotiation.
15
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
27
Funds Funds
Annlving Jurisdiction Proiect Requested Recommended
King Countv Cougar Mountain Park/Precipice Trail CFT: 0 0
Parks Levy: 240,000 200,000
Recommendation: This project continues King County's efforts to acquire property on the
northeast slopes of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park for a trail connection to downtown
Issaquah. There are several properties that should be acquired to complete the trail connection and to
buffer to the trail. Additional trail access from the Talus development is also a priority. Last year, King
County purchased a key 35 -acre property at the base of the Cougar Mountain on Newport Way. Two
more key parcels totaling about 20 acres are needed next to connect Cougar Mountain Park with the
35 -acre parcel, and those are recommended for funding this year. In its recent annual progress report
on uncompleted Conservation Futures tax Levy (CFT) projects (March 31, 201 1) the Committee
recommended that $375,000 in funds from other uncompleted CFT projects should be reallocated to
this project because of its regional importance. The Committee recommends additional 2012 PEL
funding to help fund this next phase of the trail project. in addition to the trail connection, this is the
closest side of Cougar Mountain to Interstate 90, and it is a scenic view that is enjoyed by thousands of
people daily. It is also a key part of the scenic mountainside view enjoyed frorn downtown Issaquah by
the residents and visitors to that city. A trail connection from downtown Issaquah to Cougar Mountain
has been a goal of Issaquah and Issaquah Alps Trail Club for over two decades, having been funded as
far back as the voter approved 1989 Open Space Bond Program. Unfortunately, there were not willing
sellers at that time, but Issaquah and King County have persisted and they are now moving forward
towards achieving this vision.
King Countv Lower Cedar River Conservation CFT: 1,000,0000 200,000
Parks Levy: 700,000 600,000
Recommendation: King County has been steadily acquiring important habitat lands on the
Cedar River since the Forward Thrust Program in the 1970s. This year's project has a goal acquiring up
to six properties totaling approximately 30 acres on the Lower Cedar River in two main focus areas.
The first area is between Jones Road Cedar Grove Road, and the second is between State Route 18 and
the Cedar River's confluence with Taylor Creek. Both of these areas have significant ecological
features and some public ownership. Both areas include the Cedar River Regional Trail, which travels
from Renton through Maple Valley, and on to Landsburg. The project will support the removal of
levees that constrict the river channel and increase velocity of the river, which significantly diminishes
salmon spawning grounds in this regionally significant fishery. These acquisitions are goals of the
WRiA 8 Salmon Conservation Plan on the three year priority list to benefit endangered Chinook. The
project will also provide greater access for bird and wildlife viewing and passive recreation, for users of
the Cedar River Regional Trail and other public conservation lands on the river.
Green River Watershed
King Countv Bass Beaver Lake Complex /Plum Creek CFT: 600,000 400,000
Parks Levy: 775,000 600,000
Recommendation: This project has a goal of continuing to protect habitat lands in the Green
River Watershed near Bass Lake, Beaver Lake, and the Green River Gorge. The properties
recommended for funding this year are approximately 160 acres in total and situated in two locations.
The first area is approximately 120 acres northeast of Beaver Lake, on the upper slopes of the Green
16
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation —July 1, 2011
Funds Funds
Apnlvin2.Jurisdiction Proiect Reauested Recommended
River Gorge on the Enumclaw -Black Diamond Road. It contains a pond and is high quality wildlife
habitat. The second area is approximately 40 acres, located southwest of Bass Lake at SE 387" Street
and it contains a mature forested wetland /bog that is home to several amphibian species. This is a
headwaters property between Christy Greek, which flows between Bass and Beaver Lakes, and the
Newaukum Creek drainage, thus providing a corridor for amphibians and other wildlife between the two
systems. Both of these areas were previously owned by the State of Washington and had been presumed
to be relatively secure conservation land until two years ago. They were exchanged with the Plum Creek
Timber Company as part of a complex TDR transaction that permanently preserved 48,000 -acres of
forest land in the upper Green River watershed. Plum Creek is willing to sell these properties to King
County. The overall Bass /Beaver and Dandy Lake complex is noted as an important area for permanent
protection in several plans dating back over a decade, the most recent being the WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat
Plan. A study by King County two decades ago listed this lake complex as having the highest bird
diversity in King County. This complex provides an excellent setting for outdoor passive recreation such
as hiking, nature viewing, birding and non motorized boating.
King Countv Enumclaw Forested Foothills Trailhead CFT: 250,000 0
Parks Levy: 250,000 75,000
Recommendation: This project has a goal of securing a 240 -acre trailhead and providing trails
for equestrian use in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, north and east of Enumclaw on SE 418"
Street. This property is adjacent to land in the Forest Production District in the Cascade Foothills owned
by Hancock. Timber, which has historically allowed public access, but is not obligated to do so. The
240 -acre property contains a large number of equestrian trails that are currently being used. There is a
second area noted in this year's application that is a roadside equestrian parking area for accessing the
White River Tree Farm. It is located adjacent to the King County solid waste transfer station along SE
440'" Street, east of Enumclaw. This is a temporary parking area, but the goal is to eventually acquire a
trailhead here with a permanent parking facility. The long -term status of Hancock's White River Tree
Farm is holding up any final decisions on trailhead facilities. Since the tree farm could be subdivided
and developed, it is not guaranteed that the tree farm will have trail access in the future. A more
permanent level of protection for these lands is necessary before significant trailhead decisions can
effectively be made. The owner of the 240 -acre trailhead site is a willing seller if King County wishes
to purchase the property in fee simple ownership. This project received funding from King County two
years ago, and this recommended allocation will help King County move forward with negotiations,
possibly for a phased acquisition. It will also allow King County to seek additional matching funds
from other sources. The Enumclaw Forested Foothills Recreation Association (EFFRA) has been a long
time advocate for protection of the Cascade foothills and it strongly supports this project.
King Countv FPP Murray Farm CFT: 100,000 100,000
Parks Levy: 0 0
Recommendation: This project is a proposed Farmland Preservation Program development
rights purchase over 39 acres on the Enumclaw Plateau. The property is located at SE 384`" Street and
212 Avenue SE, north of Enumclaw. About one third of it is open pasture, and about two thirds are
forested, though half of the forest floor has pasture grasses and is used for grazing. The trees are tall
conifers that provide habitat for nesting birds and for hawks that prey on rodents, an important
component of all farmland ecosystems. The remainder of the forest provides habitat for wildlife such as
deer, elk, and coyote, and even bears and cougars have been sighted here in recent years. The barn and
farmhouse on the northeast portion of the property are now almost a century old, providing an historic
link to an earlier era of agriculture on the Enumclaw Plateau. This is the only agricultural land
17
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
29
Funds Funds
AnplvinLy Jurisdiction Proiect Requested Recommended
preservation easement request this year and the Committee strongly recommends that King County
strengthen its efforts to apply for more CFT funds to conserve more farmland in the future. There are
many important and sizable farms in King County's Agricultural Production Districts that are still not
permanently protected from subdivision and development.
King Countv Lake -to -Sound Trail Corridor CFT: 50,000 50,000
Parks Levy: 0 0
Recommendation: This Project consists of the acquisition of a trail corridor easement on four
to six parcels located between 68` Avenue South and Fort Dent Park, along the Black River in Tukwila
and Renton. The properties will fill a missing link in public ownership that provides a connection in the
Lake -to -Sound regional rail corridor. A portion of this trail corridor segment will pass under elevated
rail trestles, which is necessary to make the connection. The Lake -to -Sound trail project will connect
multiple trail links from Lake Washington in Renton, through the cities of Tukwila, Seatac, Burien and
Des Moines. Most of the trail corridor is already located on public parks and road rights -of -way, and
the vast majority of funds for the trail will be for design and construction. This project will help with
the acquisition component of the trail, which has an approximately 600 foot ownership gap between
Fort Dent Park in Tukwila and 68` Avenue South and Black River Forest in Renton. There are already
matching funds in place from the King County Parks Levy. This is an important and ambitious trail
corridor for southern and southwest King County, and this acquisition will help complete the
acquisition phase of the trail.
King Countv Soos Creek Regional Park Trail Addition CFT: 150,000 0
Parks Levy: 150,000 0
Recommendation: This project proposes the addition of three properties along the 750 -acre
Soos Creek Regional Park and Trail, to help improve access to the trail. The first priority parcel is
located at the south end of the developed trail in Soos Creek Park, near SE 268` Street, within the city
of Covington. This parcel will buffer and widen a narrow easement that is part of an interim trail
alignment spur for the Soos Creek Regional Trail corridor. It connects to the King County Roads
Division's Calhoun gravel pit, which is proposed for an interim trail route that would proceed
southward frorn there. Unfortunately, since the application for CFT and PEL funding was submitted,
King County has determined that the owner is not a willing seller. The second priority parcel is an
inholding that is primarily a wetland and may effectively be undevelopable. It is located in the northern
part of Soos Creek Park at SE 208' Street. The owner of that property purchased it at a price that
significantly exceeds King County's expectation of likely current fair market value and therefore it may
have a low likelihood of a successful negotiation. The third parcel, located at SE 251" Street, would add
a buffer and local connection to Soos Creek Park. It has a willing seller. It is a potential link in a
proposed future trail between Covington, Maple Valley and Black Diamond that is still in the in the
early planning stages. Black Diamond and Covington had to return CFT funds for their most recent
projects, because they could not secure matching funds, and Maple Valley has never applied for CFT
funds. This Connection to Soos Creek Park therefore seems preliminary and can wait until further work
is done to indentify the likely route and funding for the proposed tri -city trail. The Friends of Soos
Creek Park, which has provided local stewardship in the park for over a decade, supports this
application and has assisted the King County Parks Division in planning the trail connections. The
Committee recommends that there are higher funding priorities this year, given the lower amount of
available CFT funds and the other Parks Division priorities elsewhere that require PEL funds.
18
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
30
Annlvina Jurisdiction Project
White River Watershed
King Countv Pinnacle Peak Additions
Funds Funds
Requested Recommended
CFT: 0 0
Parks Levy: 160,000 160,000
Recommendation: This project will acquire a 20 -acre inholding on Pinnacle Peak, also known
locally as Mount Peak, on the Enumclaw Plateau south of the city of Enumclaw. There are four parcels
in a single ownership. Earlier this year the Committee recommended re- allocating $245,000 in CFT
funds from the abandoned White River PSE project to this project, and in combination with the
requested PEL funds, there should be sufficient funds to purchase this inholding. The property is habitat
for upland wildlife, including some of the wintering White River elk herd, which is often sighted in the
fields immediately down slope from this property. This herd has a range of 600 to 900 members, and
Pinnacle Peak is an important winter refuge for many of them, particularly in a winter like the past one
that had near- record snowfall. CFT and PEL funds were used to acquire several parcels on the back side
of Pinnacle Peak in the past four years that are now actively used by hikers climbing the mountain. In a
short time it has become a popular destination, having received write -ups in the local newspapers.
Vashon /Maury .Island
Kine Countv Island Center Forest CFT: 100,000 100,000
Parks Levy: 490,000 300,000
Recommendation: This project consists of the acquisition of lands that buffer Island Center
Forest on Vashon Island. The first priority is the acquisition of two parcels totaling 39 acres, located at
107` Avenue SW. These parcels will provide trail access between Island Center Forest and Vashon's
commercial center, as well as a trail head for the forest. This project was granted initial funding last
year, but the total overall costs were still in question, as there was some possibility that a trail easement
could be purchased over part of the property instead of purchasing the entire property in fee simple
ownership. The King County Parks Division has since found that the owner wishes sell the property in
its entirety, and is not interested in selling an easement. If the owner were to sell a trail easement and
develop the drier land on the site, King County would likely have high trail development costs and
higher long -term maintenance costs, as it would need to build extensive elevated boardwalks over the
wetlands. An added benefit of purchasing the entire parcel is that it will buffer the historic Mukai Farm,
which is located immediately to the west and is bordered by Island Center Forest on two sides. A
longer -term vision for Mukai Farm is to permanently preserve it to keep it in farming for educational
and historic preservation purposes. Other parcels identified in the application for funding for this
project are not a priority. This project is strongly supported by the Friends of island Center Forest, the
Vashon /Maury Island Land Trust, the Vashon Parks District, and several other local conservation
organizations. Working with King County over the years, this coalition has supported and funded the
permanent protection of 369 acres of Island Center Forest, and this project will better enable local
residents and Island visitors to access this important public resource.
19
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
31
Apnlving Jurisdiction Proiect
King Countv Judd Creek/Paradise Valley
Recommendation: This project is part of a longer -term effort to protect Judd Creek, Vashon
Island's largest creek, in the Paradise Valley area. The parcels recommended for funding include
acquisition of 7.7 acres of riparian habitat conservation easements on two parcels along Judd Creek,
located on 1 l Avenue SW, north of SW 212` Place, as well as a third parcel at 107"' Avenue SW. Judd
Creek is habitat for sea -run cutthroat trout, Coho, and chum salmon. The Vashon /Maury Island Land Trust
has provided local leadership on this project in recent years by purchasing lands with important riparian
habitat along the creek. King County has worked in partnership with the land trust by purchasing
conservation easements over the properties. A long -term goal of the land trust is to create a passive trail
along Judd Creek from its outlet into Puget Sound to the headwaters at Island Center Forest, ultimately
connecting to a trail on Shinglemill Creek on north Vashon. An appraisal for these Judd Creek properties
must be conducted to determine the value of the conservation easements King County will purchase, and
this recommended allocation is within the potential range of value. This is the most significant ongoing
conservation effort in King County where privately- raised, local funds are expended on conservation land
acquisition costs, and this recommendation acknowledges that worthy effort.
King Countv Maury Island Additions CFT: 400,000 0
Funds Funds
Requested Recommended
CFT: 97,500 50,000
Parks Levy: 97,500 51,000
Parks Levy: 400,000 0
Recommendation: This project has a proposed scope with three components. The first
subcomponent consists of two forested parcels totaling 10 acres, immediately east of Maury Island
Marine Park. They contain Puget Sound shoreline, are undeveloped, and have one owner. The second
component would acquire four parcels totaling 20 acres, east of Maury Island Marine Park at 75'
Avenue SW. The goal of this part of the project is to provide a trail connection between the upper
portion of Maury Island Marine Park and Docton Park, which is located on the western side of Maury
Island on Quartermaster Harbor. There is a longer -term vision for a trail the connects Docton Forest
with the recently acquired Maury Island Gravel pit property, which will become a park that has about
one mile of Puget Sound shoreline, with the existing Maury Island Marine Park. There is a Madrone
Forest on the eastern portion of these parcels. These properties are currently for sale, and one of them
has a developed water system, which may make it more likely to be sold. The third component of this
application would be the conversion of a 40 -acre property owned by the State of Washington
Department of Natural Resources (State DNR), which is currently being leased to King County, into
King County ownership. This parcel is located along the proposed trail corridor discussed above. The
Committee recommends that goal of connecting the three parks noted above by a trail system needs to
be more fully developed, including the likelihood of success for the route alternatives. More properties
would need to be acquired and the likelihood of all of the owners needed for a complete connection is
not clear. There was a large amount CFT funding for the Maury Island Marine Preserve last year and
significant additional 2012 CFT and PEL funding is recommended for three other projects on Vashon
Island.
20
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation —July 1, 2011
32
Funds Funds
Apvlvin2 Jurisdiction Project Requested Recommended
King County Point Heyer Drift Cell Phase II CFT: 400,000 240,000
Parks Levy: 400,000 300,000
Recommendation: The goal of the Point Heyer .Drift Cell preservation project is to acquire fee
simple and conservation easement property on over 10,500 feet of shoreline within the Point Heyer drift
cell shoreline on eastern Vashon Island. The project will protect the natural functioning of the bluffs
above the beach, where sand and gravel are transported to the beach through natural erosion. This
provides the shoreline and underwater littoral zone with the sand and gravel it needs to support and
maintain high quality underwater and intertidal marine aquatic habitat. The Point Heyer drift cell bluffs
provide sand and gravel to the Point Heyer barrier lagoon. This lagoon is also known locally as KVI
Beach, because it has long had a radio tower owned by the radio station with that call name. The lagoon
is a rare Puget Sound salt marsh, and though it is only about five acres in size, it is the largest remaining
one in King County. The marsh supports abundant marine and avian wildlife. To survive in the long
term, the lagoon must be replenished with sand and gravel from over a mile away along the Point Heyer
drift cell. When local residents armor the beach with rock walls and cement bulkheads, this inhibits the
beach replenishment process and can significantly damage shoreline habitat. Salmon species from up
and down Puget Sound use this area as part of their life cycle, and therefore this project is a top priority
of the three -year work plan of the WRIA 9 salmon recovery plan. It is also a priority in other Puget
Sound -wide salmon conservation plans, such as the nearshore chapter of the federally adopted
nearshore recovery plan. This project has received funding from six other funding sources since 2008,
an indication of its broadly recognized importance.
21
CFT Citizens Committee Annual Recommendation July 1, 2011
33
King County Conservation Futures Citizens Committee
Summary of 2012 CFT and PEL
Funding Recommendations
x