Sims says innovative deal will conserve land, boost recreation, protect Black Diamond's character

2005 Archived News

King County Executive Ron Sims today thanked the King County Council for advancing a landmark agreement he unveiled last June designed to protect the character and future of the Black Diamond area.

The agreement includes 2,500 acres of open space, park land and forests, and increases recreational opportunities and certainty for development inside Black Diamond city limits. Legislation approved by Council today implements that agreement, which 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.

"I really want to thank the Council for recognizing how this 'smart conservation' opportunity will provide tremendous value to the people who live in or near Black Diamond," said Sims. "This is a wonderful example of how collaboration between government, business, conservationists and citizens can protect land and promote livable communities."

The ordinance approved by Council authorizes Sims to enter into three interlocal agreements with the City of Black Diamond for the transfer of Lake Sawyer Park, the transfer of Conservation Futures Tax funds, and the provision of future infrastructure improvements.

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.

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.

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.

King County Conservation Futures Tax funding will help the City of Black Diamond purchase 77 acres of open space and working forest within the city limits and Plum Creek will give Black Diamond an additional 91 acres of land within the city for future green space. Plum Creek has also agreed to ensure that 55 acres on Section 2, immediately north of the city, remain as open space to provide a visual buffer along Highway 169 and to act as a community separator into the future.

The Black Diamond Open Space Area Protection Agreement is an important example of the innovative ways in which King County can work with cities and with the nonprofit and private sectors to achieve environmental protection as well as orderly residential development.