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