FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

Rock Creek Rock Creek Valley Valley

Conservation Conservation Plan & PrioritiesPlan & Priorities

Prepared by Friends of Rock Creek Valley with the assistance of the National Park Service, as part of a grant from National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.

FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

Overview• Rock Creek Valley description• FRCV goals and accomplishments• Conservation plan

– Define Objectives

– Identify protected areas, parcels at risk

– Analyze Natural Resources

– Set Conservation Priorities

– Implement Plan

• Next Steps• Questions and Answers…

May 27th, 2003 FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and Status

The Rock Creek Valley

“The highest quality remaining tributary in the lower Cedar River and greater King County area”

- Gino Lucchetti King Co Biologist

May 27th, 2003 FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and Status

Rock Creek: from Lake 12 to Cedar River

FRCV approx. area: • Cedar River to north• Green River to south• SR 169 to west• Cedar River Watershed

to east

32 square miles

The Rock Creek Valley

FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

Friends of Rock Creek Valley Goals Water quality, quantity and habitat Spawning and rearing habitat Diverse wildlife habitat Natural resource education Recreational opportunities Monitoring, maintenance and operation of

publicly-owned lands Promote revenue-generating activities on

publicly-owned lands

FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

FRCV AccomplishmentsAcquisition Assistance

• Ravensdale Retreat, Sugarloaf West, Crow Marsh East and Central, Lower Rock Creek, Cemetery Reach, Gracie Hansen Woods, Kanaskat Reach

Restorations• Rock Creek 4.6 mile riparian area, Cemetery

Reach, 31-Man Creek

Other Accomplishments• Plant and wildlife surveys, regional trail

planning, equestrian center, trail mapping (100+ miles!), community and governmental liaison.

FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

Rock Creek ValleyConservation Plan

A guide to help the community achieve its Vision for the Rock Creek Valley

• Prioritize FRCV efforts• Educate community on conservation needs• Provide input for County consideration

Not binding in any way– Based solely on voluntary cooperation

May 27th, 2003 FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and Status

Conservation Plan Audience

• Governmental agencies• Developers and real estate agents• Local residents and land owners

FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

• Rock Creek Natural Area• Danville-Georgetown

Open Space• Kent Watershed• Henry’s Ridge Open Space• Sugarloaf Mountain• King County Sports Park• Ravensdale-Retreat• Crow Marsh• Hanging Gardens

Approx. 4,600 acres

(22%) in “protected

status”

Protected Areas

May 27th, 2003 FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and Status

Conservation Risks

Valley today is still 72% forested

Approximately 2,600 acres of land are at a very high risk of development

• 13% of total valley area

Another 2,300 acres at medium-to-high risk• 11% of total valley area

FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

Resource Elements of Vision• Urban-Rural Buffer • Aquatic and Riparian Resources • High Groundwater Contamination Risk• Wildlife and Birds • Forest Resources• Recreation and Trails• Viewsheds and Aesthetics

(From the Rock Creek Valley Vision, adopted April, 2001)

FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

Resource Element Analysis

Urban-Rural Buffer

Goals

Current Conditions

Key Assumptions

Target Conditions

Strategy

Plan contains these sections for each resource element.

Establish ‘no development buffer’ between urban and rural areas

Approx. 2/3 in place already

Minimum ½ mile wide

No new development within bufferPassive RecreationForest Management

Parcel-specific strategy for protecting missing segments

May 27th, 2003 FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and Status

Aquatic and Riparian

Goals Maintain water quality (surface &

sub-surface) Retain riparian habitat

Strategies Monitoring Ensure regulation enforcement Restoration of natural vegetation Education

May 27th, 2003 FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and Status

Areas at High Risk from Groundwater Contamination

Strategies Retain forest cover

Minimize development

Education & homeowner outreach

May 27th, 2003 FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and Status

Wildlife and BirdsGoals

• Maintain primary blocks of habitat

• Provide effective connectivity

• Promote landowner actions that benefit diversity and balance

Target Conditions• 1/4 Mile wide connecting corridors

• Retain in forest

• Passive recreation

• Commercial forest management

May 27th, 2003 FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and Status

Wildlife and Birds

Strategy• Focus on preserving forests and riparian areas

• Largest threat: change of ownership leading to development

• Work with landowners

• Encourage commercial forest management

• TDR, Conservation Easements

• Linked via Wildlife Corridors• Connectivity between Rock Creek Blocks and

Watersheds.

FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

Forest Resources

Goal• Preserve at least 65% forest cover in the

Valley

Key Assumptions• Healthy forests promote healthy populations

of fish, amphibians, bird and wildlife as well as water quality

• Diversification of forests is desirable.

FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

Forest Resources

Strategies• Support efforts to retain lands in the FPD

• Promote and encourage continued commercial forestry

• Promote development of voluntary forest management plans for private landowners.

May 27th, 2003 FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and Status

Recreation and Trails

Goals• Sustain outdoor recreational opportunities.

• Complete the Regional Trail system link through the Rock Creek Valley

Strategies• Concentrate active recreational development

around Ravensdale Park complex

• Phased implementation of Equestrian Center

• Encourage industrial landowners to continue policy of free public use of their lands.

May 27th, 2003 FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and Status

Viewsheds and Aesthetics

Goal• Preserve the valley’s “rural forested character”

Key Assumptions• Screening development will promote perception

of rural forested locale

• Forest/agricultural views give desired perspective

• Visibility of active forestry operations is compatible with goal

FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

Conservation Priorities – The Process

• Set priorities for various conservation goals• Identify parcels that contribute most to overall

conservation goals• Factor in risk considerations• Summarize priorities• Formulate plans to achieve the goals

FRCV Conservation Plan Summary and StatusMay 27th, 2003

Next Steps

• Complete draft Conservation Plan & Priorities• Present plan and seek input at community

meetings and organizational presentations• Incorporate feedback into the Plan• Present to County as community’s goals

FRCV invites review and feedback from the Cedar River Council