An effort promoting the protection of fish and wildlife habitat, forestland, and water quality in King County’s Rock Creek Valley received a boost this week from the citizen-based Cedar River Council.

The council voted unanimously to support the proposed Rock Creek Valley Vision, a comprehensive plan proposed by Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Phillips to manage growth and land use actions in the Rock Creek Valley.

The valley is located southeast of the Interstate 90/Highway 18 junction in east King County. Phillips chairs the Cedar River Council, which is made up of citizens and elected officials representing the Cedar River basin.

"The Rock Creek Valley is one of the last accessible undeveloped, unspoiled areas in King County," said Phillips who also chairs the county council’s Natural Resources, Parks and Open Space Committee. "The views are breathtaking. The land remains heavily forested. The river in the area still runs clear and cold. Places like Rock Creek make up the beauty of the Pacific Northwest."

The Rock Creek Valley Vision proposal is being developed to:

• Assist area property owners in restoring and maintaining wildlife habitat;
• Promote land incentive programs such as current use taxation and transfer density credits;
• Seek private and public funds to acquire property or development rights on a voluntary basis from interested landowners.

While King County owns forestland in the Rock Creek area, the valley remains threatened by development and suburban sprawl. The Rock Creek Valley proposal seeks to work with local residents in developing an appropriate land use plan for the area.

"There are numerous reasons why citizens should want to preserve the Rock Creek Valley," said Phillips. "The biggest reason I can think of is to preserve a piece of our Northwest heritage for ourselves and for generations to come."