VMICC Land Use & Natural Resources Committee Meeting
September 19, 2001 at McMurray School Library

Attendees:, Enid Dolstad, John Gerstle (Chmn), Lorin Reinelt, Jack Stewart, David Warren

The committee discussed the possible surplusing of 80 acres of forested land east of the Vashon landfill, the communityÕs desire for open space and the importance to the Island of having sustainable forestry practiced here. The committee unanimously agreed to the following motion which was to have been presented to the full Vashon Maury Island Community Council at its October meeting and then debated and voted on in the November 19 VMICC meeting. Ê

ÒSince 80 acres of forest on Vashon Island are being considered for surplus action by King CountyÕs Solid Waste Division, and since they have a common boundary with the 200 acres of Washington State DNR land, and since these two parcels constitute the largest blocks of public land, and form the major part of the headwaters of Judd Creek (the largest salmonid bearing stream on Vashon), and since these parcels have been long used as horse,biking and hiking trails (which have been maintained by the Island equestrians), and since there is neither water service nor sewer access, Ê the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council requests that King County designate , these 80 acres as resource lands to protect them for recreation and aquifer recharge, and allow sustainable forestry to help pay for their maintenance.Ó

However subsequent to our meeting we received an email from Lori Grant at KC who said that KC was not going to surplus this land and there is no consideration to sell the landfill site at this time. Lori noted that some islanders had suggested transferring the site to KC Parks, but even though Parks and Solid Waste are now both divisions of the same County department, Parks would probably have to pay Solid Waste for the property. Given KCÕs revenue shortfall, this is very unlikely. Moreover, if the land was owned by Parks, it would need to be open and available for use by all, possibly leadingto Òendless debatesÓ regarding who gets to use the trails, and about parking and restroom requirements, etc. Lori also pointed that term Òresource landÓ has a very specific meaning to KC and is only used for lands within the KC Comp Plan designated Forest Production District or Agricultural Production District. Lastly, Lori said that KC is considering transferring most of their active parks and recreation facilities to cities and maintaining parklands intended for passive open space or resource uses. Lori suggested the following changes to the motion (additions underlined):

ÒSince 80 acres of forest on Vashon Island Êowned by King CountyÕs Solid Waste Division are no longer needed for solid waste purposes, and since they have a common boundary with the 200 acres of Washington State DNR land, and since these two parcels constitute the largest blocks of public land, and form the major part of the headwaters of Judd Creek (the largest salmonid bearing stream on Vashon), and since these parcels have been long used as horse, biking and hiking trails (which have been maintained by the Island equestrians), and since there is neither water service nor sewer access, ÊÊ the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council requests that King County take action to permanently preserve Êthese 80 acres as open space lands to protect them for recreation and aquifer recharge, and allow sustainable forestry to help pay for their maintenance.Ó

Joel Kuperberg suggested we change Òsustainable forestryÓ to Òlow impact ÒgreenÓ forestryÓ to avoid using a term that has different meanings.

Then on Tuesday night at the Vashon Park District a representative from the Solid Waste Division of KC, Laura Belt, said that they were now in favor of the VPD drafting a master plan and then signing a Use Agreement with the Park District wherein the KC Solid Waste Division would retain ownership and VPD would be responsible for its management. This would all have to go through a public process, but KC is eager to have at least a notional idea of an agreement by Oct 15. Laura said that if the Use agreement is for no more than 5 years the KC Council would not have to vote on it i.e. it could be a revolving 5 year agreement. Jake Jacobovitch proposed a motion that supports the concept of retaining the existing uses and open space for the community and would start the VPD and the KCSWD working toward this goal. His resolution below is to be voted on at the next VPD Board meeting on October 9 at 7 pm at Ober Park. "The Vashon Park District agrees to negotiate with the King County Solid Waste Division for the goal of developing a community plan for community use of the 80 acre KCSWD parcel east of the Transfer station"


So after all this, and recommendations by some Land Use Committee members, I will postpone introducing our motion till we know more about what the VPD will do and have further discussion at our October 17 meeting.

Short Reports: Equestrian Ordinance. The following information from Jim English was provided. A task force was formed under the auspices of the KC Natural Resources, Parks & Open Space Committee and chaired by Louise Miller. Jim, Truman OÕBrien and Shelley Headley (a Òvirtual memberÓ) represented Vashon. Four subcommittees (Legal, Trail linkage, Incentives, Code Revisions) were formed. with the Task Force goals being to recommend refinements to the zoning code; evaluate scope of the existing informal trail system in rural KC, recommend incentives or acquisition actions to preserve trails and then forward recommendations to the ÊKC Council by Sept 2001. The task force had 7 meetings, starting at the end of May.The principal recommendations were: Legal Subcommittee - remove language from previous draft ordinance mandating owner maintain trails to forest service standards and made owners liable; encourage expanded easement arrangement with KC indemnification in conjunction with the prevailing State statute; KC should be responsible for maintenance but should rely on volunteers and contracts with non-profits; with a 90% property tax break for trail property covered via an easement; Ê Incentives Subcommittee - change the PBRS to expand easement area from 25 ft to either side of trail to adjacent property that adds space and ascetic value. The revised Equestrian Ordinance has been drafted and is scheduled to go to the Natural Resources Committee the week of September 24.

Surface Water Management Input was received from Katy Vanderpool who said that due to funding shortages and budget cuts, she will be filling the Vashon Basin Steward position. A primary project is the Ellisport Creek clean up of contaminated soils and restoration of habitat at Tramp Harbor. This project is being done in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers, King County, the Vashon Park District and the VMI Land Trust. A capital improvement project was completed at Johnson Pond (Vashon Park District land) and stewardship training for habitat restoration is being conducted, Katy is meeting with representatives of business, environmental and other community interests to identify priorities. KatyÕs responsibilities also include responding to and investigating citizen complaints regarding protection of aquatic resources including septic, surface water and erosion issues.

Meeting was adjourned at 9 pm.

Next Meeting Ð October 17, 2001 at 7:30 pm in the McMurray Library.