Restoration project complete, County Council approves sale of surplus property on Taylor Creek

Project prevents flooding, restores wetland habitat, and retains residential character

The completion of the watershed restoration project on Taylor Creek near Maple Valley allowed the Metropolitan King County Council to today approve the sale of five acres of property that was part of the original project.

Taylor Creek before the Flood Reduction and Habitat Restoration Project (above) and after completion of the project (below)

The Taylor Creek Flood Reduction and Habitat Restoration Project, located on the Cedar River, involved relocating Taylor Creek to move it out of a roadway culvert next to Maxwell Road and restoring the creek to its historic alignment away from the road. The project also restored vegetation on nine acres of wetland habitat. The objectives of the project were to improve floodplain connectivity, restore a more natural wetland-stream with better ecological function, and reduce the frequency of flooding.

“The Taylor Creek project is a remarkable wetland restoration success story,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, Chair of the Growth Management and Natural Resources Committee and Co-Chair of the Cedar River Council. “Prior to this work, an adjacent road flooded regularly and development had crept to the channel’s edge with no buffer. With this work completed, the road withstood the punishing November rains without flooding, the homes and surrounding residential character have been preserved, and Taylor Creek once again provides high quality, inviting habitat for salmon and other wildlife.”

“The Taylor Creek project has improved wildlife habitat, while reducing flooding in the area,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine. “The Council’s action today gets a usable home back into private ownership and refunds a portion of the project’s total cost into County coffers.”

“I’m very familiar with this road because it is only a few miles from my home—I’ve been down the road dozens of times,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “These improvements have improved the lifespan of this critical road and protected the eco-system from dangerous flooding. The sale of this property will help us fund additional infrastructure maintenance in the future.”

With the restoration project completed, the five-acre portion of the property with an original residence is now surplus to the county’s needs. The parcel was sold for $295,000 to a private buyer.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system.
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