| July 29, 2003
News Release King County expects to close a deal in August to acquire an additional 33 acres of open space along Federal Way's Hylebos Creek. The acquisition is considered vital to the success Hylebos Critical Habitat project, which hopes to re-establish naturally functioning conditions that support salmon and other native species in the creek. "Science tells us restoration of damaged salmon habitat is extremely important, and common sense tells us the most cost-effective way to help salmon is to protect what quality habitat remains," said King County Executive Ron Sims, who with County Council Vice-Chair Pete von Reichbauer, has supported the project for many years. "This deal will help accomplish both." "The Hylebos Creek Project has been a great demonstration of how the County acts as the regional government coordinating and leading the efforts of county, state, city, non-profit, and most importantly, local community efforts to preserve critical salmon habitat," said von Reichbauer, who has been involved with the Hylebos for more than 20 years. When then-Senator von Reichbauer was chairman of the Senate Parks and Recreation Committee, he sponsored the initial legislation to purchase the Hylebos land for the public. "This acquisition will benefit current residents and future generations in South King County." King County has been working to acquire the 33-acre parcel of open space along the West Hylebos Creek, which is currently owned by the Federal Way School District. King County is providing acquisition services and funding from Conservation Futures Taxes (CFT) to acquire the property. The County expects to close on the property for $450,000 in partnership with Friends of the Hylebos Wetlands and the Federal Way School District. The non-profit organization, Friends of the Hylebos, obtained grant funding through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and through Commencement Bay Natural Resource Trustees. These grants, along with the County's CFT funding, provided the necessary money for the acquisition. Sims said King County's Water and Land Resources Division is participating with the Friends of Hylebos, the Cascade Land Conservancy and the Federal Way School District on the Hylebos Critical Habitat project. King County initially purchased the first half-acre wetland parcel in January of 2002 for $1,915. This acquisition was followed by a cooperative project with the Cascade Land Conservancy on an adjoining 14-acre purchase for $120,000. The acquisitions preserve important habitat for coho and chinook salmon. These properties will likely be transferred to the City of Federal Way. The School District property is one of several parcels that are part of a larger acquisition effort to make way for a stream restoration project to be implemented by the City of Federal Way. The restoration project will make significant habitat improvements to the stream channel and the streamside vegetation. Related Information
Water and Land Resources Division |
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