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