May 13, 2002 Judge dismisses challenge to East Lake Sammamish Trail; construction to continue on interim trail King County Executive Ron Sims today expressed delight in a Superior Court ruling that the County’s environmental impact assessment for the East Lake Sammamish Trail has been deemed legally sufficient. This ruling removes a significant remaining legal hurdle to building the 10.8-mile regional trail. “This ruling clearly demonstrates that King County’s environmental review process is very thorough and that we can continue building this important interim trail,” said Sims. “Our progress on the interim trail will move forward.” King County identified this trail as part of its urban trails plan in 1971. The County purchased the railbanked corridor for a recreational trail in 1998, paralleling the eastern shoreline of Lake Sammamish connecting the cities of Redmond, Sammamish and Issaquah, as well as Lake Sammamish State Park and King County Marymoor Park. The County has prepared an interim use resource protection plan for the trail corridor, which has included a thorough public involvement process. “Our responsibility is to protect natural resources and to minimize the impacts to neighboring property owners while providing a regional trail for the public to enjoy. This ruling indicates we are well on our way to doing both,” said Sims. The interim use trail plan includes opening the railbed to the public during the master planning and construction phases. Updated: May 14, 2002 Executive's home | Executive's news Executive's e-mail King County | Executive | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site. The details.