Grand Ridge – Canyon Creek Acquisition RCO #08-1787 – Urban Wildlife July 2008

1. Grand Ridge – Canyon Creek AcquisitionRCO #08-1787 – Urban WildlifeJuly 2008

2. Snohomish Basin (WRIA 7) Skykomish Watershed Snoqualmie Watershed

3. Three parcels: 75 acres • Connected to 2,200 acres of public land: • Grand Ridge Park • Mitchell Hill Forest • Tiger Mountain Forest

4. Grand Ridge Park Project will protect 75 acres of mature coniferous forest including 4200 feet of Canyon Creek

5. The Bigger Picture • Snohomish River Basin Salmon Conservation Plan (2005) • Snohomish Basin Steelhead Trout ‘State of the Knowledge’ Technical Memorandum (2008) • Waterways 2000 (1995) • Patterson Creek Rapid Rural Reconnaissance (2004) • Parks Open Space Plan (2006)

6. 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

7. 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

8. Fish and Wildlife Species and Communities • Target Fish Species include: • Steelhead (ESA-threatened) • Coho • Chinook (ESA-threatened) • Cutthroat Trout • Other Aquatic Target Species • Western Pearlshell Mussel • Salmon and Trout Distribution • Yellow = Chinook • Red = Coho • Blue = Steelhead

9. Fish and Wildlife Species/Communities • Birds • 115 species of birds • 27 known nesters • Target Species include: • Bald Eagle • Pileated Woodpecker • Northern Pygmy Owl • Merlin • Coopers Hawk Photos by Allan Bauer in Grand Ridge area

10. Fish and Wildlife Species/Communities • Mammals • 33 species of mammals • Target species include: • Black Bear • Bobcat • Cougar • Short-tailed Weasel • Flying Squirrel Photo by Allen Bauer in Grand Ridge Area

11. Fish and Wildlife Species/Communities • Herps • Nine species including: • Pacific Giant Salamander • Red Backed Salamander • Pacific Tree Frog Photo by Allen Bauer in Grand Ridge Area

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Public Access Opportunities Seventy five acres will enhance existing trail network • Access to site provided by adjacent seven-mile Grand Ridge Backcountry Trail • Seventy five acres is within view corridor of trail • Trail provides opportunities for hiking, biking & horseback riding Grand Ridge Trail

23. Target parcels in proximity to Grand Ridge Trail

24. Proximate Population Pressures • Five-mile radius captures three cities. Populations as of 2005. • Issaquah: 17,059 • Sammamish: 38,640 • Snoqualmie: 6,300

25. Grand Ridge – Canyon Creek Acquisition Photo by Allan Bauer in Grand Ridge area Thank you!