In 1996 I told a friend I’d found a spring that flowed down a narrow canyon into the Green River Gorge. Near it, a sign announced a new development. I worried the spring would be harmed by large houses, lawns, fertilizers, and pesticides. At that time the Green River was already under pressure to send more water to Tacoma, and downstream development was damaging the watershed.
We researched the project, stopped the development, and planned a corridor of open space linking the Cascades to the Puget Sound lowlands. That effort launched the Green River Gorge Greenway project and the nonprofit that became the Green River Coalition. Many successes followed, but when I left in 2015 one task remained: the threatened land was still privately owned, and the idea of a regional trail along the Gorge depended on buying Icy Creek land.
Now, 30 years later, two phases of the Icy Creek Ridge acquisition are complete, a third is nearly done, and one final phase needs funding through Washington State Parks. Washington State Parks is accepting comments in support of the purchase. Your email or mailed letter can help finish this acquisition and move forward with a multiuse trail linking Kanaskat State Park to Flaming Geyser State Park along the south side of the Green River Gorge.
From Washington State Parks
I am writing to inform you that Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is applying for a grant through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) to acquire 7 parcels in King County, totaling approximately 35 acres, known collectively as Icy Creek Ridge. This is the fourth phase of the acquisition in Icy Creek Ridge and will include 167 total acres if approved (Phase 1-3 combined is 132 acres). We are seeking letters of support for this important project.
This acquisition is intended to allow development of a trail along the south rim of the Green River Gorge, between Kanaskat-Palmer State Park and Flaming Geyser State Park. The property will also provide a habitat connection between the Green River Gorge Conservation Area and properties owned by King County to the south in the Bass and Beaver Lake complex.
The Washington State Legislature established the Green River Gorge Conservation Area in 1969 (RCW 79A.05.705) and directed the State Parks and Recreation Commission to begin acquiring property along the river. The State Parks plans for the Conservation Area include a trail along the south rim of the gorge, from Kanaskat-Palmer State Park to Flaming Geyser State Park.
The parcels in Icy Creek Ridge are some of the last needed before trail development will be possible. The current landowner has platted the area into 14 building sites and has already developed roads for future residential development. Purchase of these parcels will prevent this development, and the existing road will provide good access for future recreational development. This acquisition will also protect habitat corridors between the Green River and properties in King County's Bass Lake Complex to the south. These parcels are within the designated long-term park boundary, and the landowner is a willing seller.
You can send a written letter to:
Recreation and Conservation Funding Board
PO Box 40917
Olympia, WA 98504-0917
or send an email: tanya.moore@parks.wa.gov or fill out the form below and add your comments.
Sample Letter of Support
Date:
Recreation and Conservation Funding Board
PO Box 40917
Olympia, WA 98504-0917
Re: Green River Gorge – Icy Creek Phase 4
Dear RCO or To Whom It May Concern….
I am writing to show support for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s Green River Gorge – Icy Creek Phase 4 (26-1347) grant application in the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program’s State Parks category.
The Washington State Legislature established the Green River Gorge Conservation Area in 1969 (RCW 79A.05.705) and directed the State Parks and Recreation Commission to begin acquiring property along the river. The State Parks plans for the Conservation Area include a trail along the south rim of the gorge, from Kanaskat-Palmer State Park to Flaming Geyser State Park.
The parcels in Icy Creek Ridge are some of the last needed before trail development will be possible. The current landowner has platted the area into 14 building sites and has already developed roads for future residential development. Purchase of these parcels will prevent this development, and the existing road will provide good access for future recreational development. This acquisition will also protect habitat corridors between the Green River and properties in King County's Bass Lake Complex to the south. These parcels are within the designated long-term park boundary, and the landowner is a willing seller.
If preserved, the Icy Creek Ridge parcels would facilitate the eventual development of a
regional backcountry trail in an area of the county that does not have many passive trail hiking opportunities. As the regional population grows and communities continue to seek outdoor spaces to safely gather during the pandemic, there is an increasing need for outdoor recreation spaces and protection of valuable landscapes. In addition, protecting the Icy Creek properties will conserve valuable forests and wildlife habitat, protect important groundwater resources, and expand the network of existing public lands in this area. The Green River Gorge is a spectacular natural feature, which deserves expanded protection.
It is our understanding that Phase 4 of this project will acquire around 7 parcels that make up approximately 35 acres, of the 167 acres of the total acquisition area. This fills in a critical gap in public ownership of lands on the south side of the gorge, between current State Parks lands, and King County Parks Bass Lake Complex Natural Area. These acquisitions will expand public land, wildlife corridors, landscape level habitat, and will help complete major regional trail systems.
Regards,