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| April 3, 2001
Sims commends adoption of Rock Creek Valley Vision
King County Executive Ron Sims today commended the King County Council for adopting his vision for the Rock Creek Valley, which is located in both the Cedar and Green River Basins and includes important salmon, forestry, recreation and open space resources.
The Council yesterday unanimously adopted the measure proposed by Sims last fall that will preserve the area from development. The valley also includes the Clark Springs watershed that provides 60 percent of the City of Kent’s drinking water.
“Rock Creek is one of the most productive salmon spawning tributaries in the entire Cedar River Basin. The action today means that Rock Creek will be preserved voluntarily as its residents had hoped and envisioned. Too often, the rural area is under increasing development pressure that could threaten forestry, salmon resources and the rural character of the greater Ravensdale area,” said Sims. “Through these actions, we are encouraging voluntary land use incentives and targeting existing resources, like Conservation Futures funds, to ensure this area retains its rural character.”
The Friends of Rock Creek Valley organized a proactive, grassroots effort designed to preserve this area through existing County programs. Sims initiated like transfer of development credits, public benefit rating system, as well as through acquisition grants, donations and future funding. Sims said a grant awarded for $116,000 by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a good start. Salmon Recovery Funds in the amount of $200,000 have also been raised to implement the Rock Creek Vision. Executive Sims has indicated that the Rock Creek Vision will be one of his top priorities in the upcoming round of Conservation Futures funding to be determined by the CFT COC. The Friends group plans to fundraise to match the grant amount.
“The Friends of Rock Creek has worked with local community groups to develop this vision,” said Sims. The list of community groups include the Cedar River council, the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council, the Maple Valley-Black Diamond Rotary, the King County Rural Forest Commission, the City of Kent and the Covington Water District.
“Together, we in King County and the Rock Creek Valley have helped direct the future of this area, and that is something we can all be proud of,” said Sims.
Updated: April 3, 2001
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