Upper Bear Creek UAC Meeting Minutes

Date: January 25, 2005

Time: 7:30 – 9:10 PM

Location: Woodinville Water District Offices

Board Attendees: Mary Filkins, Geoff Clayton, Nancy Stafford.

County Attendees: Marissa Algeria, Nori Catabay and Harry Reinert

Community Attendees: Nancy Stevens and T. Hinman, both of Redmond

Meeting began with Geoff thanking Marissa for an updated map of the new King County Representative Districts which now clearly shows the majority of Woodinville and points east in the jurisdiction of District 3, Kathy Lambert & Bothell and west in District 1 represented by Carolyn Edmonds.

A full supplemental EIS is being made due to an unreported fault now found on Vashon Island.

Wellington Golf Course currently owned by the U of W is being considered as a site for an Aquatic Park and Center as part of Brightwater Mitigation providing it can be bought at the current assessed value of $7.2 million. There are plans for athletic fields on the same property.

The WRIA 8 salmon recovery plan is endorsed by NOAH. Bear Creek Basin is not seen as Critical Area for salmon recovery by NOAH because of high land values of the area.

Harry Reinert of DDES gave a presentation on the Critical Areas Ordinance as it affects Upper Bear Creek. There has been a Bear Creek Basin Plan in place for 10 years that protects waterways and wetlands beyond King County regulations so the new CAO holds little change for us. He handed out an 11 page overview of the CAO which has three sections: Zoning and Critical Areas Regulation, Stormwater Management, and Clearing and Grading. Objectives of the CAO were discussed with increased encouragement for agriculture and forestry management and recognition of good stewardship. There is some easing by King County in the area of permits where farm or forest plans are in place. “One Size Fits All” outlook has been altered to guideline status, not hard line as before. Wetlands are taken out of “Aquatic areas” designation and are now typed in four categories according to the Washington DNR typing system that are consistent with state standards. Incentives to encourage property owners to participate are still being worked on. They include tax relief under the Public Benefit Rating System, a Rural Stewardship Program, Watershed Protection Plan, Farm and Forestry Programs and additional DDES staff (2) to assist applicants in understanding the new regulations 206 296 6600 or Harry Reinert 296 7932.

Meeting closed at 9:10. Next meeting (February 22 nd) to deal with specific situations found in our area and how they will be considered by DDES under the new CAO. All interested persons encouraged to attend. Nancy Stafford

A Hard Copy of the complete CAO is available at the Library and in the Community Service Office on the corner of Avondale and Woodinville Duvall Rd. Printed explanation of the CAO

is also available at the Community Service office.