In September of this year, King County announced an agreement to purchase development rights on the Snoqualmie Tree Farm, more than 90,000 acres of working forest once owned by Weyerhaeuser and currently owned by Hancock Timber. This represents the largest public purchase of development rights in the region, and while Hancock Timber will continue to manage the land as working forest for the time being, the North Fork Snoqualmie River corridor will remain undeveloped. This includes two whitewater runs: the class III Upper North Fork and the class V Ernie’s Canyon. For years the Cascade Land Conservancy has worked to protect these lands along the foothills of the Cascades from development; they deserve significant credit for bringing the parties together to make this happen and worked closely with King County councilmember Larry Phillips as well as the past and present landowners. Without their long-term commitment to this project, the land would likely have ended up as 80 acre estates given its increasing value for development. Funds for the $22 million deal will come from the sale of bonds to be repaid from the county’s "conservation futures" tax.
In making the decision to protect this forest, King County has the following goals: to either conserve or enhance, fish and wildlife habitats, shoreline protection, open space, water quality and public recreational and education opportunities of the forestland for present and future generations and to prevent any use of the forestland that will significantly impair or interfere with its conservation value.
For the time being access to the Spur 10 gate, the entrance to the access road serving the bridge that divides the two whitewater runs, remains closed to the public (those with private inholdings or who purchase a rather expensive annual pass can get a key). Given the current discussion over this property and King County’s stated commitment to conserve or enhance recreational opportunities as one component of the overall vision, it would be appropriate for paddlers to remind their representatives on the county council of whitewater interests in this river both from a recreation and conservation perspective.
Although the King County Council approved a portion of the funds in anticipation of a potential deal back in December of 2003, a formal vote for the pending agreement will likely occur this October. While this initiative has wide support on the county council, local boaters are encouraged to contact their local councilmember to demonstrate continued support of this effort and note the interest whitewater paddlers have in this river (those living outside the county who enjoy this river can contact Council Chair Larry Phillips). Additional information on this initiative and contact information can be found on the King County Council website at <www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/>.