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A joint press release from King County, the Cascade Land Conservancy, the City of Black Diamond, and Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.
June 7, 2005
A landmark agreement unveiled today guarantees the character and future of the Black Diamond area. It includes 2,500 acres of open space, park land and forests, and increases recreational opportunities and certainty for development inside Black Diamond city limits. Using the principles of smart growth and serving as a model for the newly announced Cascade Agenda, the agreement evolved over nine years of work by King County, the City of Black Diamond, Cascade Land Conservancy, Plum Creek and community members.
The agreement will protect 1,600 acres of forestland known as Ravensdale Ridge, conserve at least 10 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails, contain growth within the urban area, and complement it with more than 388 acres of open space and parks within the city. The Ravensdale Ridge land will act as the match to secure an additional $3.6 million under the federal Forest Legacy Program for working forestlands southeast of Black Diamond. This funding will conserve thousands of additional acres of working forestlands.
"This is smart conservation that gives tremendous value to the people who live in or near Black Diamond," said King County Executive Ron Sims, "and it's the wave of the future for how we protect land and promote livable communities. This agreement is evidence of what's possible to achieve through the cooperative efforts of government, business and conservationists, and it really showcases the tools we have available to make something like this happen."
The county is putting down relatively little cash to make this happen, an approximately $1 million contribution to secure a portion of the open space in the city. The rest of the land is being protected through transfer of development rights and conservation easements.
"Such agreements are at the heart of the Cascade Agenda," said Gene Duvernoy, President of the Cascade Land Conservancy. "Working forests are maintained with the environmental benefits, jobs and incomes that go with them. Hundreds of acres of sensitive land are conserved and thoughtful development occurs where it should. It is a great example of the long-term potential of the Agenda."
Under the deal, the protection of 1,600 acres of forestland will be guaranteed through a conservation easement on forestland owned by Plum Creek. This area, known as Ravensdale Ridge, was chosen for conservation by the local community. The land is valued by the community and trail users throughout the region for the views, abundant wildlife and miles of continuous trails.
Plum Creek will also give King County 645 acres of rural land, which is to remain as open space including land protecting the Ravensdale Creek corridor, important to the water quality of Lake Sawyer.
"The diligent and persistent work of the partners in this effort has produced a precious legacy for generations of future King County residents and visitors," said Friends of Rock Creek Valley member Donna Brathovde. "Each of the parties involved has certainly earned our trust, respect, and appreciation for a job well done."
To assist in proper conservation of some of the Ravensdale Ridge area, the Cascade Land Conservancy will provide stewardship to ensure that forest practices protect valuable wetlands and stream corridors.
Within the City of Black Diamond, the resident's vision of a livable community will be realized by promoting smart growth in the city. Consistent with the 1996 Black Diamond Urban Growth Area Agreement, the city will annex 329 acres of urban unincorporated land, which Plum Creek will have the right to develop.
To preserve open space and parks within the community, the county will transfer the 165-acre Lake Sawyer Park to Black Diamond and join Plum Creek in purchasing the development rights to 77 acres of in-city green space. The development rights acquisition will be funded with approximately $1 million from the conservation futures tax and 1989 open space bond. Plum Creek will also dedicate 91 acres to the city as in-city open space lands.
"We are beginning to realize the vision we established in 1996 through the Black Diamond Urban Growth Area Agreement," said Howard Botts, Mayor of Black Diamond. "The partnership we are unveiling today allows Black Diamond to grow in a planned and orderly manner while protecting much needed open space and providing trail and park spaces for our future generations. And with the transfer of Lake Sawyer Park, we are truly realizing our vision for a livable community and as a hub for recreation in southeast King County."
"The local community wants to preserve their surrounding forest and small-town way of life, and King County is helping them do that," said Larry Phillips, Chair of the Metropolitan King County Council. "Black Diamond's coal mines inspired the city's name, and although the town is changing and growing, the local people don't want sprawling strip malls and housing developments to take over the nearby Cascade foothills. This agreement concentrates growth near the town center, provides for city parks that will enhance the quality of life in the urban area, and protects the surrounding forest and trails. King County and Black Diamond are great places to live now, and we are making sure they will be in the future, too."
"This agreement will expand our regional trail system and preserve thousands of acres of open space for future generations," said Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds, chair of the Natural Resources and Utilities Committee. "The agreement will focus new development in areas that make sense, while protecting the uses and character of our rural areas."
"Plum Creek was pleased to collaborate with King County, the City of Black Diamond and The Cascade Land Conservancy to identify opportunities that will provide multiple benefits to members of the community who live in and around Black Diamond," said Rick Holley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Plum Creek.
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Updated: June 7, 2005
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