Cascade Land Conservancy preserves part of Middle Fork
By:
Melissa Kruse
Snoqualmie Valley Record
January 27, 2005
SNOQUALMIE VALLEY, WA- They can't read the good news, but a certain
group of fish and other wildlife will be mighty pleased when they
figure out the last piece of unprotected riverfront land in the upper
Middle Fork Valley has been purchased by the Cascade Land Conservancy.
That's right. Carefree swimming and frolicking can commence now that
the 120-acre plot along the Middle Fork Valley of the Snoqualmie River
is secured from development forever and will eventually be transferred
to the U.S. Forest Service for public ownership.
Known as the Moore Oxbow property, the land includes a one-mile stretch
of riverfront and supports an intricate network of wetlands and gravel
bars that provide critical habitat for a variety of fish and other
creatures. The gravel bars also offer outdoor enthusiasts opportunities
for fishing, wading and walk-in camping.
"For over nine years CLC has protected the beautiful landscapes
in the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie Valley to promote low-impact
recreation and wildlife habitat," said Chip Nevins, King County
Conservation Director for CLC. "This land was a critical piece
to the puzzle."
The CLC, a nonprofit organization that preserves natural lands in
King, Kittitas, Pierce and Snohomish counties, announced the acquisition
Jan. 10 after purchasing the land from the Moore family. The U.S.
Forest Service was interested at the time but lacked the funds necessary
to purchase the 120 acres. Donations from the late Patsy Collins,
the Mountaineers Foundation, the Osberg Family Trust and two anonymous
donors made it possible for CLC to acquire the property near the Alpine
Lakes Wilderness Area, a destination for many thousands of hikers
each year.
The purchase is part of an ongoing effort by CLC to preserve lands
in the Middle Fork Valley. The 120 acres now join the other 1,200
acres that CLC holds there.
"Protecting the Moore property caps off a long effort to protect
the upper Middle Fork Valley," said Mark Boyar, CLC community
trustee and president of the Middle Fork Outdoor Recreation Coalition.
"This area is so close to the Seattle Metropolitan area and a
lot of crowded trails, so it's a huge deal for both the animals and
the hikers."
The move by CLC was a win for local critters and nature enthusiasts
everywhere as the land, just 30 miles northeast of North Bend, was
at high risk for development given its easy access from Middle Fork
Road.
"This acquisition not only protects the Moore property from development
forever, but it also is a huge win for wildlife habitat and for improving
the quality of life in this area," said Gene Duvernoy, president
of CLC.
CLC will continue to target additional wildlands in the Middle Fork
basin to protect key in-holdings for passive recreational use.